Comments on: Gynol II Discontinued

By: Sharon Redgrave

Sharon Redgrave — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:35:13 +0000

Hi everyone,

I have found two alternatives to Gynol and a brilliant company that are based in the UK but also ship all around the world. I have used both ContraGel and Gygel and I must admit I prefer the Contragel. I have been purchasing my supplies from a company called RDO Medical. You can purchase the Contragel in single tubes or in packs of 3 or 10. I have pasted the links to both gels. I HOPE THIS HELPS!! http://ethicalfamilyplanning.com/contragel-natural-spermicide-10pack.html
http://ethicalfamilyplanning.com/buy-gygel-spermicide.html

By: Rosie

Rosie — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 03:35:09 +0000

I am in NZ and my doc didn't know Gynol II was no longer available. When she rang the pharmacist they told her to tell me to order thru amazon.com, however that costs $15 for the product and about $44 for shipping and whatever other charges, total was about $58 so I cancelled the order... I am going to ask my local Health Store if they would do a bulk order - I don't mind paying a few $$ shipping, but not that much!!! i don't know why the G#DD#M chemist shop can't do that for us - NOT HAPPY JAN !

By: Lesley

Lesley — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:11:53 +0000

I am just thrilled at the number of diaphragm users. My clinic made me feel like I was the only person left in the UK using one. I feel like I have been given no choice in contraception and upset that the coil is presented as an alternative. I have not yet used gygel. But like many of you pay extortionate amounts for delivery from the US.

By: camilla

camilla — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:26:42 +0000

Has anyone had the following from gygel...
irritation/sore crack in vagina, soreness when having sex/burning painful sensation in vagina-too sore to continue? This could have been thrush-I treated it with thrush meds and it cleared after a few days...has gygel ever caused thrush? does it change the acidity ph balance? I then got cystitus after this. Is there any known link with cystitus and gygel? I am getting myself checked out by gynae and urologist but would appreciate any comments if anyone has had problems with gygel...?does it have any nasties in it? Is it dangerous to use it a lot longer term?

By: Victoria Castiglione

Victoria Castiglione — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 09:20:09 +0000

Many thanks to everyone for this helpful thread. I've been using Gynol II in Australia for 24 years. When local stocks disappeared I began ordering online from undercovercondoms in the US for the last 3 years but they are no longer supplying. What a relief to discover that gygel is available! The express chemist site - http://www.expresschemist.co.uk - is offering a discount for purchases of 3 or more tubes so I've ordered several.

By: cathy

cathy — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:13:04 +0000

Thank you you wonderful women. I had recently concluded that I must be the last woman on earth to still be trying to use a contraceptive diaphram with spermicide. Although I couldn't help thinking that Cherie Blair and her much derided "contraceptive equipment" might be a fellow user. I got Gynol 11 in New Zealand earlier this year but they tell me that they no longer have any supplies so I'm mightily relieved to hear of the gygel - and of all you wonderful women struggling on against the odds. Now we know of each other, surely we can do something about our "CHOICES"?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:08:26 +0000

After using the diaphragm successfully for many years I was told no more jelly anywhere!After trying and failing miserable with the coil and after a nasty termination at 39 I am at a loss as to which contraceptive method to use now. It puts you off having sex! Why don't men have all these problems? I don't want to be pumped with hormones that cause mood swings and irregular periods and acne at my age. I just want a safe convenient method of contraception. Bring back the jelly!

By: Suzi

Suzi — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:57:21 +0000

Women in Ireland are in the same situation with few Pharmacies being very clear on if stock is available or not. In my late thirties, having used a diaphragm successfully for the past 15 years my request for the now disappeared otho gynol gel and my use of a diaphragm drew looks of incredulity from pharmacy staff. With a history of famillial breast cancer a diaphragm always seemed the best option. I never knew I was so out of synch with modernity! Thanks for the undercovercondoms site address. I am saved.

By: Matthew Robinson

Matthew Robinson — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:08:25 +0000

Susan,

If at the same time you stopped using your diaphragm you stopped using the Ortho Creme too then I think it would be unlikely that your symptoms are an allergy. If you are still using the cream then it is a possibility. You don't say what (if any) form of contraception you are using now but if you are using condoms for example they may be causing localised irritations.

Your best option would be to have a check with a family planning nurse at you GP surgery or via your local sexual health services. They can offer contraceptive advice but may also be able to find a cause and solution for your symptoms and return your sex life to normal for you.

By: susan

susan — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:25:24 +0000

I used a diaphragm with Gynol ll for 15 years with absolutely no problem. Since I started using my diaphragm again using the new substitute Ortho-Cream I have had thrush, then I had Cystitis. I had to stop using my diaphragm because of the discomfort, I carried on having sex regularly and noticed a chapped and sore feeling which has been coming and going for a couple of months, this has led to small paper-cut like bits on my perineum which heal when I have a rest for a couple of days just to return again on having intercourse - its ruining my sex life at the moment and I really think it may be to do with the Ortho Cream now that I have seen the posts on this site. I still have the soreness, dryness and cuts which come and go with chapping after intercourse. Is this an allergic reaction which is continuing even after I have abandoned using my diaphragm altogether?

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:50:56 +0000

Following reading about ordering gynol 11 from the undercovercondoms website I received my order from America 6 days later and shipping was free.
Brilliant.Thanks everyone.

By: Grace

Grace — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:31:07 +0000

Also available from http://www.shopinprivate.com/ along with the milder original 2% nonoxynol version in an even bigger tube (108g), especially intended for use with diaphragms. I ordered one tube of the Gygel and was shocked to find it was so small, so expensive, and also I thought the consistency and the smell were both awful. Luckily my order of Gynol from the US showed up, and I didn't have to use the whole tube. Thank goodness I'm near the end of my need for contraceptives, but I am distressed about the lack of options that my daughters have to face. I guess this is what happens to freedom of choice when everything is driven by profit.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:41:44 +0000

Wow, it's reassuring to see so many others have been posting on this issue. To reply to the question as to alternatives, I imported my Gynol II from the US rather than use Ortho Creme. It's now nearing its use-by date (I did rather over-buy!), so will discuss current options with my GP.

By: hb

hb — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:56:01 +0000

I started with Gynol, then ortho cream now gygel. all dispenced by my family planning clinic. Now when I drop in they never have any Gygel in stock or limit me to one tiny 30g tube.

If I was a teenager I would be pregnant by now!I'm going to have to import from the states.....hoe inconvienent!

By: Kat

Kat — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:13:09 +0000

I'd like to add my name to the list of women who are disgusted by the withdrawal of Gynol II, and who find Ortho Creme impossible to use as it is so irritating. I have used the diaphragm + gel as my sole method of contraception for 25 years and have never got pregnant with it. I'm now in my mid 40s, and don't want to change to a hormone-based method. My GP has advised me that the diaphragm is 'not longer popular'. No wonder, if Ortho Creme is all that's available. It stings! We need our voices to be heard. -- Kat

By: Victoria

Victoria — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:40:19 +0000

I live in the US and can not find Gynol II anywhere. I found this website and was surprised to hear the same complaints as I have. I told my husband he will have to get a vasectomy if I couldn't use this!! I did order online at http://www.undercovercondoms.com. They charged me a total of $17.90 with shipping. Good luck to all of you in the UK.

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:11:04 +0000

I have just discovered that Ortho-creme has been discontinued and can't believe that the tubes of gygel are so tiny! Surely it is not too much to ask for decent sized tubes, and also for a choice, I have used both creme and gel in the past and have been fed up with not having the choice for the last year or so. I will be contacting the manufacturers as soon as my pharmacist had managed to find me some (he was very helpful) but it would have been useful if my GP had realised before he wrote me a presciption for a discontinued product.

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:11:48 +0000

I've been a successful user of ortho creme and orthoforms for 8 years. Gynol gave me extreme irritation. So now I'm as annoyed as everyone else was when gynol disappeared.
I have no other contraceptive choices, can't take hormones, and after a failed sterilisation and complications, refuse to let a doctor near me with a coil.
What choices are we left with as women, it's ridiculous......celibacy?

By: hbeven

hbeven — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:17:27 +0000

I to am struggling on with Gygel. I prefered ortho creme ( less gloopy than Gynol ) Now I'm back to Gygel in tiny tiny 30g tubes. I get mine from the FPC, but to day I was told, that my suppies will be limited to one tube at a time ( max of one tube a month)! That's not to much of a problem for me, but could be for some! I am much more frugal with the applied ammount now!

By: Mandy

Mandy — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:30:08 +0000

Hi All. Another couple here who are completely turned off by Ortho=Creme. I will be approaching the FP clinic for Gygel next week & if no luck there my GP. I think this whole episode is shocking. I already feel under so much pressure to use a hormone based contraceptive (pill, implant, minerva coil) but simply will not as I believe there will be a price to pay in later life for all this "hormone pumping" that goes on these days. There are moves to ban the routine use of hormones in meat farming yet it's by far the favorite option of the medical profession for women. Anyone else find that disturbing?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 29 May 2008 10:33:46 +0000

Hi, just thought I'd sneak a look to see whether this site was still attracting the same level of interest as a couple of months back! For those who have been told they have to pay for gygel, my local chemist has now managed to get me several prescriptions of gygel and I have never been asked to pay, he just ticks the free contraceptive box on the back of the form. ( I am in Hampshire by the way, so the 'Scottish' prescription stuff definitely doesn't apply here!) He has also told me that ech time I get a new prescription, he will automatically re-order ot for me so that I don't have to wait for ages when I take the prescriptions in to him. I still think the size of the tubes is ridiculously small and I do still prefer the texture of gynoll ll, so will probably continue to order from the US as I find the cost is surprisingly reasonable. (it's http://www.undercovercondoms.com )

By: Prescribing Advice for GPs » Contraceptive Gel

Prescribing Advice for GPs » Contraceptive Gel — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 08:08:45 +0000

[...] By far the busiest article on this site, in terms of follow up comments, is about the discontinuation of Gygel II. [...]

By: Maggie

Maggie — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:11:38 +0000

My doctor wrote a prescription for OrthoCreme, not knowing it had gone off the market. When my chemist eventually got Gygel (early March) the prescription was changed to two tubes of Gygel. Someone here obviously realised that each tube contained less.

I get free prescriptions because of a medical condition, but I'm sure that I was offered the choice of ticking the 'free contraceptives' box on the prescription. I'm in Scotland; maybe that makes a difference. I certainly got no impression that I would have been asked to pay for a contraceptive product.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:16:28 +0000

I have just received my Gynol II gel from the US website http://www.undercovercondoms.com at a cost of Â£7 with Â£5.95 P&P. Arrived in around 10 days. From what I can understand, the tubes are over three times the size of what is available in the UK. They also sent me a standard 10% code with my recipt for payment but within a few days also emailed me with a 20% off offer across their product range. I think you need to order fist to get the deal but if you are a regular user of the products its worth stock piling!

By: Simone A

Simone A — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:07:30 +0000

I just learned that Ortho is discontinued.
I ordered the replacement product from exress chemists in Brighton. But it is much more expensive.
Could someone recommend a reliable American website where gygel is better value?
Best
Simona