Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the colposcopic appearance of the cervicovaginal epithelium with spermicide use vs condom use in a low-risk population.
Study design: This was an ancillary study of a trial comparing the efficacy of 5 nonoxynol-9 spermicides. A cohort of women who used condoms without spermicide served as a control group. Colposcopic examinations were performed during product use to identify genital lesions.
Results: One hundred fifty-one participants had 1 or more follow-up examinations. At baseline, study groups differed only by the prevalence of baseline lesions. New lesions were identified at 49% of follow-up visits. Controlling for the presence of a baseline lesion, compared with condom use none of the spermicides were associated with an increase in new lesions (overall odds ratio, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.4-1.6; P = .5); and lesions characterized by epithelial disruption were less frequent with spermicide use (overall odds ratio, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.6; P < .001).
Conclusion: In a low-risk population, women who used nonoxynol-9 spermicides were less likely to have lesions with epithelial disruption, and equally likely to have any new lesion compared with condom use.