Spermicides are effective in preventing which of the following?

• A. Pregnancy only
• B. Gonorrhea and chlamydia
• C. Pelvic inflammatory disease
• D. Long-term fertility issues

Answer: (B)

Spermicides are specifically designed to prevent pregnancy by killing sperm or inhibiting their mobility. They work by interfering with the sperm’s ability to reach the egg, which is crucial for conception. Their primary role is to act as a contraceptive, so the answer that aligns with their purpose is related to pregnancy prevention.

Though spermicides can have some non-specific benefits, such as creating a hostile environment for certain sexually transmitted infections, they are not effective in preventing infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia. These infections are caused by bacteria and require different forms of prevention, such as barrier methods (like condoms) that block the transmission of pathogens during intercourse.

Likewise, while the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) might be slightly reduced when using spermicides (due to decreased risk of sperm transport), spermicides alone are not designed to prevent PID. Moreover, long-term fertility issues can arise from various factors, including untreated infections, but spermicides do not directly prevent these issues.

Therefore, the primary effectiveness of spermicides lies in their role in preventing pregnancy, making that the most accurate choice when considering their intended use.