Pill
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 |  PillNo non-hormonal birth control pill is FDA-approved in the US. Ormeloxifene (centchroman) is approved and used in India. |  SpermicideA chemical gel, foam, or film inserted into the vagina before sex to disable sperm, available over the counter. |
|---|---|---|
| Efficacy | Limited evidence see details Limited evidence: no verifiable efficacy data available. | 79% typical use Least effective: under 90 out of 100 people successfully prevent pregnancy per year. |
| Cost | Contact provider Insurance: Varies | $1–$3 /per unit Insurance: Varies |
| Duration | Weekly pill (ongoing) | Single use (effective for 1 hour; duration varies by formulation, check product label) |
| Reversibility | Reversible | Reversible |
| STI Protection | No | No |
| How it works | Ormeloxifene (centchroman) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that prevents pregnancy by inhibiting implantation of a fertilized egg in the endometrium. It does not suppress ovulation and does not contain estrogen or progestin. It is not FDA-approved in the US. | A chemical (usually nonoxynol-9) immobilizes or kills sperm on contact. Inserted into the vagina before sex. |
| Prescription | Required Prescription required | OTC Over-the-counter |
| Available Products | 1 product | 2 products |
| Side effects |
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| Who shouldn't use this |
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