In an effort to avoid getting pregnant? There are a lot of choices.

A vaginally inserted birth control gel is called Phexxi. Women of childbearing age can use it as needed to avoid getting pregnant. The drug can only be obtained with a prescription from your doctor and is hormone-free (does not contain hormones).

Let’s start with a Phexxi review that will give you all the information you require.

Read More: Smileactives Reviews

What Is Phexxi?

Before engaging in vaginal contact, insert the gel phexxi into the vagina. Maintaining an acidic environment in the vagina prevents conception by making it difficult for sperm to swim up into the vagina and reach the egg.

You might be asking yourself, “Isn’t that what spermicides do?” And in a way, you’re correct, but Phexxi operates differently. Unlike spermicides, which kill sperm, Phexxi only hinders their ability to swim.

How Does Phexxi Work?

The typical vaginal pH ranges from 3.5 to 4.5, which is regarded as (acidic). This level rises to between 6.5 and 7.2 when semen enters the vagina, which makes the environment less acidic or alkaline and easier for sperm to move in.

Phexxi functions by preserving the lower pH of your vagina. Sperm are immobilized if it is kept down. Sperm cannot swim up to meet and fertilize the egg in the fallopian tubes when they are immobile.

While spermicides use a substance called nonoxynol-9 to kill sperm, Phexxi’s active components, which include lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate, are non-toxic.

Is Phexxi Effective?

With typical use, Phexxi has a pregnancy prevention effectiveness of about 86%. With perfect use, the gel can be up to 93 percent effective. According to additional data from a 2021 study involving 1,330 Phexxi-using women, 13.7% of women became pregnant after 6 months.

Remember that you can boost the gel’s effectiveness by combining it with a backup strategy, like condoms.

Pros And Cons Of Phexxi

Phexxi has advantages and disadvantages, just like any birth control method. When deciding which approach is best for you, go over these issues with your healthcare provider.

Pros

• A hormone-free birth control option
• As needed birth control method that can be used right before (and up to 1 hour before) vaginal sex
• Easy to use, and can be used anytime even during your period
• If there are any side effects, they are typically minor.
• Short-term, so whenever you decide to stop using it, it won’t affect fertility.

Cons

• Must be prescribed by a healthcare provider
• Only available as a brand medication, so it might be expensive
• Shouldn’t be used if you have a history of urinary tract infections (UTI) or other urinary tract conditions
• not as successful as some alternative birth control measures.
• does not offer protection from STIs.

How To Use Phexxi?

Utilize Phexxi up to an hour prior to when you intend to engage in vaginal sex. Wash your hands first. The gel should then be inserted into your vagina using one of the prefilled applicators, much like you would a tampon.

The gel’s consistency prevents leakage during sexual activity. Instead, it will leave your body after sex along with semen and your regular vaginal fluid.

Important information: For complete protection, use another application of the product if you intend to have repeated vaginal sex.

Side Effects Of Phexxi

There are drawbacks and advantages to all medications. Even if the medication is having the desired effect, there may still be some undesirable side effects.

If you encounter any of the following, speak with a medical professional right away:

• Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): fever, chills, back or side pain, stomach pain, the feeling of wanting to urinate frequently, burning feeling or pain when urinating

As your body adjusts to the medication, the following side effects might get better over time. If these symptoms persist or if they get worse over time, call your doctor right away.

Common Side Effects

• Vaginal burning (18%)
• Vaginal itching (15%)
• Vaginal yeast infection (9%)
• Urinary tract infection (UTI) (9%)
• Vaginal discomfort (9%)
• Vaginal bacterial infection (8%)
• Vaginal discharge (6%)

Risks Of Phexxi

Serious health problems may result from phexxi. Some groups may be at an even greater risk than others. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options

Urinary tract infections (UTI)

• Risk factors: Repeated urinary tract infections (UTI) | Other urinary tract conditions

Your risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as cystitis of the bladder and pyelonephritis of the kidney, is increased by phexxi. If you have a history of UTIs or other urinary tract issues, your risk is increased. UTIs are quite typical, but if they are not treated, they can become very serious.

Bladder infections are the most typical kind of UTI. An urgent need to urinate, pain or burning when urinating, and cloudy, pink, or dark red urine (a sign of blood in the urine) are all indications of a bladder infection. Other UTIs include kidney infections. Also, if untreated, it might become serious. Fever, chills, back or side pain, the urge to urinate frequently, and pain or burning when urinating are indications that you have a kidney infection. If you have any of the symptoms above, call your healthcare provider as you might need to start antibiotics. Go to the emergency room if you are unable to reach your healthcare provider.

Some Pharmacist Tips For Phexxi

• Even if you have a vaginal infection, you can still use Phexxi. It can be used concurrently with vaginal medications like tioconazole (Vagistat-1), metronidazole (Metrogel), and miconazole (Monistat).
• Phexxi doesn’t work for preventing pregnancy if it’s used after vaginal sex. Only when taken prior to vaginal sex does the medication have any effect. Reduce your chance of becoming pregnant by taking it right before or up to an hour before sex. When you become pregnant, Phexxi is useless, so you should stop using it immediately.
• Once your doctor has approved Phexxi for use, you are free to do so. This covers the time following delivery, an abortion, or a miscarriage.
• Phexxi doesn’t protect you against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have any questions about how to protect yourself from HIV and other STIs, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional.
• Lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate, which make up Phexxi, can cause allergic reactions in people who are also sensitive to those substances. Localized pain, itching, and burning can be mild side effects. The fact that your male partner may also experience these symptoms should be noted. Describe these symptoms to your doctor if they start to bother you.
• Before using Phexxi, it’s critical to read the Instructions for Use to ensure proper usage.
• From the foil packaging, open it and take out the applicator and plunger. Put the plunger into the applicator’s tip. Push gradually until you feel the applicator and plunger connect. Remove the pink cap once the components have been assembled.
• Use your index finger to push the plunger down until it stops after gently inserting the applicator into your vagina to ensure that all of the gel is there. In your vagina, take out the applicator and plunger, and discard them.

Pricing And Insurance Of Phexxi

Phexxi could cost as much as $267.50 if you don’t have insurance. The product’s 12 applications are covered by this price. Depending on your copay, your health insurance provider may or may not pay the entire or part of the cost. Since Phexxi is still relatively new, it is worthwhile to call your insurer and inquire before you go to get a prescription so that you won’t be taken aback by the cost.

On the Phexxi website, you might also be able to get a copay card that lets people who qualify for the product’s savings program use it for free.

Where To Buy Phexxi?

Phexxi is available for immediate purchase on the website.

Keep in mind that you require a prescription to purchase the product. A link to schedule a telehealth appointment is conveniently provided on the Phexxi website. However, you will be responsible for covering any fees connected with the appointment.

If not, you will need to schedule a medical consultation with your own healthcare provider in order to obtain a prescription. After that, you can purchase Phexxi at your neighborhood pharmacy or another authorized location where you can buy prescription drugs.

Phexxi Vs. Alternatives

According to Mestad, the effectiveness of birth control pills ranges from 92 to 98 percent, depending on how well you remember to take them.” When used alone, condoms are approximately 85% effective. On the other hand, sterilization, IUD, or implant has a more accurate success rate of 98 to 99 percent.

This puts Phexxi (86 to 93 percent effective) in the mix of solid birth control options, but it is not the most effective means when used alone. Its efficacy can be increased when used in conjunction with other techniques, such as condoms.

Some User Reviews For Phexxi

• “Within a month of beginning Phexxi, I had a positive pregnancy test. I’ve never been pregnant and I’ve used every form of birth control I could find in the past without any issues. Phexxi is not something I would advise unless you want a baby.”
• “After using this product for two months, I became pregnant. I adhered to the instructions exactly. I’ve used almost all of them and have never before experienced an unintended pregnancy or birth control failure. Before the positive pregnancy test, I used this a total of four times over the course of two months (each time I had sex). This is not a method of birth control.”
• “I only had sex once a month used this product exactly as directed, and became pregnant right away. As a sole method of birth control, I would not advise it. To be effective, it should, in my opinion, be combined with condom use or withdrawal.”
• “I used Phexxi for about 6 months, and while it was effective for birth control, it also seriously disrupted the ph of my vagina and occasionally left me feeling dry and uneasy. Later, I ended up in the ER after throwing up for 30 hours to learn that I was pregnant, and the period of time we calculated it too was when we were using Phexxi.”
• “I absolutely adore it; it’s perfect for us and I’m almost 44. Both hormones and condoms are out! Just be cautious and add additional ingredients, such as pullout, on your fertile days.”

Take Away

If you want to have the option to become pregnant soon while seeking nonhormonal birth control, Phexxi might be useful.

Schedule a consultation with your healthcare provider to talk about Phexxi and other birth control options. The options that are best for you can be determined with the assistance of your doctor, who can also go over the advantages and disadvantages in more detail in relation to your health and way of life.