Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Backup contraceptive for missed pill

12 November, 2009
Question:

I am one year postpartum, and I am taking the mini–pill Cerazette. Last night, for the first time in a year, I forgot to take my pill, and I didn't remember until nearly the entire day passed. (I usually take it at 8 pm, and I only remembered at 4 pm the following day.) Anyway, I took my next pill at the regular time, but I am concerned since my pill will not be an effective contraceptive for the coming week. Generally, my husband and I are only intimate about once a week, so it seems silly to me to go to a doctor and get fitted for a diaphragm that I will only use one time. What other forms of contraceptive are there that I can use just for this coming week, and are readily available (preferably over the counter) and are halachically acceptable?


Answer:

Mazal tov on the recent birth of your baby!

Spermicide is an effective backup method of birth control that is halachically acceptable. It can be purchased over the counter at the pharmacy. It comes in the form of suppository, foam, gel or film. In Israel, the most common form is a suppository called Glovan.

Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions.

Postscript: As of fall 2017, Glovan is no longer sold in Israel. However, Vaginal Contraceptive Film (VCF), a particularly effective form of spermicide, is increasingly available. A list of Israeli pharmacies that carry VCF can be found at https://www.safevcf.co.il/copy-of-1.

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