Internal Condom
vs
Spermicide

A side-by-side comparison of two birth control methods — efficacy, cost, how they work, and who shouldn't use them.

Side-by-side comparison

Method	Internal Condom A soft pouch worn inside the vagina that blocks sperm and protects against STIs, available over the counter.	Spermicide A chemical gel, foam, or film inserted into the vagina before sex to disable sperm, available over the counter.
Efficacy	79% typical use Least effective: under 90 out of 100 people successfully prevent pregnancy per year.	79% typical use Least effective: under 90 out of 100 people successfully prevent pregnancy per year.
Cost	$2–$4 /per unit Insurance: Varies	$1–$3 /per unit Insurance: Varies
Duration	Single use	Single use (effective for 1 hour; duration varies by formulation, check product label)
Reversibility	Reversible	Reversible
STI Protection	Yes	No
How it works	A soft, loose-fitting nitrile pouch lines the vagina and collects semen. The inner ring anchors it at the cervix and the outer ring stays outside the vaginal opening.	A chemical (usually nonoxynol-9) immobilizes or kills sperm on contact. Inserted into the vagina before sex.
Prescription	OTC No prescription / OTC	OTC Over-the-counter
Available Products	1 product	2 products
Side effects	Mild irritation or discomfort Noise during use if not positioned correctly Slippage with incorrect insertion	Vaginal or penile irritation Increased risk of UTI Allergic reaction (rare)
Who shouldn't use this	Sensitivity to nitrile (rare)	Sensitivity to nonoxynol-9 Active vaginal irritation or infection High risk of HIV exposure (frequent use may increase transmission risk)