Vaginal Contraceptive Jelly Extra Strength, 2.85 Ounce

Birth control is a very personal choice. Everyone should have options and be well informed and I personally seek out reviews when I'm contemplating purchasing something.I got tired of the risks of hormonal birth control after 6 years of the Nuva Ring. After 4 years together my partner and I do not like the feel of condoms and I don't like the risk of the pull out method (again, personal experience). Sometimes what works for one person or couple just doesn't work for other people they have their preferences, it is what it is.I had used foam and other things like this contraceptive gel in the past as an added preventative measure. So, when we were looking for other options I decided to give this a try as we're trying to prevent pregnancy for least the next 7 months.We are 2 months in using the gel and no positive pregnancy tests which is great.I think if you are 100% serious about not getting pregnant you will follow the directions to a T. Do not skimp to save money and make the gel last longer, don't be cheap... babies are not cheap! I have a teenager, I'm speaking from personal experience!This tube comes with a reuseable 2 piece plastic applicator. It works like a tampon for lack of better explanation. The applicator screws on the tip of the contraceptive gel tube. Squeeze the tube until the applicator is full of gel and that's a dose. Wash and dry applicator. I use a toothpaste tube flattener to make filling applicator easier, less messy and prevent the tube from being mangled from squeezing.Gel can be used with other forms of birth control; condoms, bc pills, diaphragm. It can also be used solo, however we all know the more forms you're using the better protected you are from an unplanned pregnancy. THIS GEL DOESN'T PREVENT STDS!!! It's not a free pass to go all wild and crazy. :)

I cannot yet speak to its efficacy, but I can speak to its comfort and ease of use. I read tons of reviews about how this product burned either female or male or in some cases both and I was terrified it would happen to me too. Murphy is frequent stalker of mine and these kinds of things always seem to happen to me. I decided to try it anyway.I recently underwent bariatric surgery and as such, I am to avoid pregnancy for at least 12 months to preserve the integrity of the surgery and avoid complications due to malnutrition. From what I have been told by my surgeon, it is supposed to be a feat because one side effect of rapid weight loss is a huge leap in fertility. I chose not to get an IUD and i can no longer take hormones so I looked for other methods.Before the heat of the moment, we decided to do a sensitivity test both for me and my husband. Everything went fine, no sensitivity noticed for over an hour. When the time came to use it, the application was very easy and comfortable. Fingers crossed that this product does what it is supposed to!

DON'T CHEAP OUT!It drives me crazy to read all these reviews saying something like, "It says to use a teaspoon every time, but I only use half that and it works for me..."When I purchased this, I paid almost $15 for the tube with 30 doses when used as recommended. That equals $0.50 for every use. Let's compare that to what I paid for prenatal care and delivery in 2015-2016. Doing the math, my husband and I could use the recommended dose of this product TWICE A DAY FOR 73 YEARS before it would equal what we spent on insurance deductibles alone having a baby! That doesn't count clothing, feeding, educating, and otherwise caring for said child until adulthood.I have also used the Options "single-serve" spermicidal gel, which at this time runs about $2.15/use on Amazon. Again, people have the audacity to suggest using less than the dose on the package. Using the same math, Hubby and I could use two of these a day for SEVENTEEN YEARS before we would spend as much as we did on insurance deductibles having this baby.Those who use this alone or use less than the recommended amount are playing with financial fire. (Not to mention all the other major responsibilities of parenting for the rest of their lives...)Know your body. Track your cycles. Observe your cervical mucus. Use a condom when you're most fertile. Use this the rest of the time.Photo shows a little TMI, but gives an idea of correct dosing according to package instructions and my nurse midwife...

Terrible product! Wanted to try out a non hormonal birth control after being on the pill for 5-6 years, and read reviews on this product and thought i'd try it out... BAD DECISION. I only used half of the recommended amount and it gave myself and my partner extremely severe burning for the entire next day after. Not worth the irritation and burning feeling after. Only used this once and probably will never use it again. Waste of money :(

Works great to use with my diaphragm or condoms. The downfall of this is that if I'm using the diaphragm and we want to go for "round 2", I have to put more gel in (as the directions say). This wouldn't be a bad thing except that it bothers my husband's man parts (gets in the urethra) and makes it somewhat painful to pee for him. This only happens when he has skin contact with the gel. We really like it for use inside my diaphragm (1 round only), or he wears a condom.

I was a bit worried when I read the reviews, thinking this may cause burning or itching. However, I haven't had any issues. I cannot use birth control pills, so finding this has been a blessing! Condoms get old pretty quick. While this has been effective thus far, we also use an app to tell when I am at a high conception date, so we know to be extra safe on those days. I'm not pregnant, so I'm happy to give 5 stars.