Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) is a
detergent-like
chemical that has been used for over 30 years in
vaginal products to prevent
pregnancy. In the
United States, N-9 is available in a variety of concentrations and formulations, including gels,
creams, foams,
suppositories, and
film. In addition, N-9 is used in some vaginal and
rectal lubricants and in the
lubricant used in some prelubricated male
latex condoms.
-
from the CDC
The most popular
spermicide in the world, it's also recently been implicated in causing vaginal
lesions, increasing the risk of
STD transmission, which seems to eliminate it from the running as an
HIV preventative.