Contraceptive Vaginal
Film
Contraceptive vaginal film is available for use as either a primary method of
contraception or to increase the effectiveness of other methods, such as condoms.
Each film is a semi-transparent square of a dissolvable material containing
nonoxynol-9, a standard spermicide.
After opening the individual film wrapper, the film is removed and folded once in half.
Use dry fingers; otherwise the film will being to melt and will become unmanageable.
The film is then folded in half once again and folded over the index or middle finger.
Push the folded film deep into the vagina so that it is up against the cervix.
After insertion, the film needs 15 minutes to melt to form an effective spermicidal
barrier. Once in place, it is effective for up to one hour after insertion. If additional
intercourse is performed, an additional film should be inserted.
The film dissolves completely and does not need to be removed. It will be discharged
over time with the normal vaginal secretions and body fluids. If douching is desired, it
should not be done during the first 6 hours after intercourse as some of the contraceptive
protection may be lost.
Because the active ingredient is nonoxynol-9, some individuals (up to 20% of the
population) will be sensitive to it and experience a burning sensation during use. Those
individuals should not continue to use this method of contraception and should seek
another alternative.
Effectiveness of the film is probably similar to that of the diaphragm. If used
carefully and consistently, about 5 women out of 100 will become pregnant each year,
despite the use of contraceptive vaginal film. For the average user, failure rates are
likely higher, about 15 or 20% each year.
Bureau of Medicine and
Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C.
20372-5300 |
Operational Obstetrics
& Gynecology - 2nd Edition
The Health Care of Women in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMEDPUB 6300-2C
January 1, 2000 |
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Approved for public release;
Distribution is unlimited.
The listing of any non-Federal product in this CD is not an endorsement of the
product itself, but simply an acknowledgement of the source.
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300 |
Operational Medicine
Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
January 1, 2001 |
United States Special Operations
Command
7701 Tampa Point Blvd.
MacDill AFB, Florida
33621-5323 |
*This web version is provided by
The Brookside Associates Medical Education Division. It contains
original contents from the official US Navy NAVMED P-5139, but has been
reformatted for web access and includes advertising and links that were not
present in the original version. This web version has not been approved by the
Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense. The presence of any
advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or
service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. The
Brookside Associates is a private organization, not affiliated with the United
States Department of Defense.
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Operational Medicine 2001
Contents
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