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- Vaginal gel is a nonhormonal substance that you put inside the vagina before sex to prevent pregnancy.
- It comes in a single-dose, pre-filled applicator that you use up to one hour before sex.
- Vaginal gel is 86% effective in preventing pregnancy.1
- Vaginal gel can be used with a condom, internal condom, or diaphragm for extra protection against pregnancy. It may also be used with spermicide.
- Vaginal gel is available under the brand name Phexxi.2
Vaginal gel
- 86% effective
- Put it in before sex
- Prescription required
- No hormones
- No STI/STD protection
- Easy to use
- Vaginal gel is a combination of lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate. It works by lowering the pH, or acidity, of the vagina. This more acidic environment makes it hard for sperm to move and reach an egg.
- The gel starts to work right after you put it into the vagina, and it works for up to one hour. The gel stays in place in your vagina during sex.
- You can get a prescription for vaginal gel from your medical provider.
- Because of the Affordable Care Act, Kaiser Permanente members can get certain types of birth control methods at low or no cost. Check with Member Services or your provider for details.
- Vaginal gel comes in a pre-filled applicator with a plunger. The way you insert it into the vagina is like putting in a tampon.
- Each applicator is one use only, and you need to use the entire dose.
- Insert the gel into your vagina immediately before or up to one hour before sex. Remember, you must use vaginal gel before you have sex. It won’t work if you put it in after sex.
- The gel works for up to one hour. But you must use a new dose of vaginal gel every time you have sex. Even if you have sex more than one time within the hour you put it in, you must use a new applicator.
- You can use vaginal gel with a condom, internal condom, or diaphragm for extra protection against pregnancy. It’s also safe to use it with some types of hormonal birth control like the pill or patch. However, you shouldn’t use vaginal gel with a vaginal ring like NuvaRing or EluRyng.2
- It’s easy to use.
- It’s hormone-free.
- It clears out of your body within hours.
- You can stop using it whenever you want to try getting pregnant.
- It doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs), including HIV. Even if you use vaginal gel, you should use a condom every time you have sex to reduce your chances of getting or spreading STIs.
- Vaginal gel is one-use only. You have to use it every time you have sex.
- If you’ve had a lot of urinary tract infections (UTIs), you shouldn’t use vaginal gel.
- Some people may experience side effects like itching or burning in the vagina. Some people may also get yeast infections, other bacterial infections, UTIs, or unusual discharge.
- Male partners may also experience mild side effects, including burning, itching, or pain on the penis.
- If you or your partner experience side effects, stop using the gel and reach out to your care team for help.
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Footnotes
1. Michael A. Thomas et al., “A Novel Vaginal pH Regulator: Results from the Phase 3 AMPOWER Contraception Clinical Trial,” Contraception: X, July 1, 2020.
2. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.
1. Michael A. Thomas et al., “A Novel Vaginal pH Regulator: Results from the Phase 3 AMPOWER Contraception Clinical Trial,” Contraception: X, July 1, 2020.
2. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.
© 2020 Kaiser Permanente