[Morrhuic acid vaginal contraceptive suppository].

ABSTRACT

PIP Sodium morrhuate started to be used as spermicide in 1982. A follow-up study was conducted in China in 1984 to investigate its effectiveness. Several different tests was conducted using sodium morrhuate solutions of 0.5, 0.25 and 0.123 concentration on semen samples. Ames tests, born marrow chromosome tests, deformation tests, and local toxicological tests were conducted on rats, and rabbits. In addition a post coital and a two-stage clinical study were conducted on humans. 34 women was recruited for the first stage of the study in November 1984; 1746 women aged 20-40, including 1581 parous and 165 newly-married women, were recruited from the second stage clinical study. Semen tests found that a solution of 0.25% concentration could immobilize sperm instantaneously. No deformation or toxic effect was found, and no abnormality was found in post coital tests. The sperm immobilization was statistically significant between the cases and the placebo group, and sperm immobilization was most effective with 20 mg/pill concentration in post-coital tests. Among those who participated in the clinical study, 16073 months of use were observed. The 12 months cumulative method failure rate calculated using the life table method was 4.8% and the use failure rate was 10.1%. The discontinuation rate was 27.3%. The major cause of failure was inconsistent and incorrect use of method. The effectiveness of sodium morrhuate as a spermicide was not significantly different from Neo Sampoon, but it has a higher effectiveness than the contraceptive sponge or the stainless steel single ring which is commonly used in China. Gynecological examination was conducted every 6 months for 2 years on the women who participated in the study. No negative reaction was found in the examinations. It is recommended that this method be used by women of all ages, especially breast-feeding women who can not use other methods of contraception.^ieng