# Nonoxynol-9 **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 23, 2001, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonoxynol-9/83270 "2001-09-23T00:45:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonoxynol-9/83270/1 "2001-09-23T00:45:28Z")
I have heard that condoms lubricated with this specific spermicide have a high rate of decay, thus increasing the possibility of the condom breaking and pregnancy occuring. I was wondering if anyone had a specific decay rate, or an effectiveness rate of condoms (brand new) lubricated with Nonoxynol-9 versus regular lubricated condoms, condoms with a different type of spermicide (if there are any) and plain, non-lubricated, non-spermicidal condoms. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Margarita](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@Margarita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Margarita)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonoxynol-9/83270/2 "2001-09-23T01:05:26Z")
If you’re buying major name-brand condoms, like Trojans, there is an expiration date on the package. And yes, these things do decompose after a while – become brittle, breakable, disintegrate, etc. I recall reading that Nonoxynol-9 has certain HIV-fighting properties, but I can’t find the supporting evidence anywhere. Maybe someone else out there knows about this? ---
**Author:** ![AKAmame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aca169/32.png) [@AKAmame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AKAmame)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonoxynol-9/83270/3 "2001-09-23T03:12:53Z")
[Try the link in the second post down](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=84548) I’ll add that when I was doing some work on requirements for condoms (well, someone has to), the representative from the sex-workers association was very strongly of the opinion that nonoxynol-9 was widely regarded in her industry as an irritant for vaginal and anal tissue, causing lesions that made infection by STD’s more, not less, likely. No cite, just anecdotal, but from a very knowledgeable source. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Duality](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.duality/32/4098_2.png) [@Mr.Duality](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Duality)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonoxynol-9/83270/4 "2001-09-23T04:27:22Z")
very irritated. Hate the stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Kipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Kipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kipper)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonoxynol-9/83270/5 "2001-09-23T05:26:52Z")
Well I had a friend (guy) who was allergic to nonoxynol-9 causing a rather nasty rash on those parts which was come in contact.