Condoms can be made out of several different materials. Some people are allergic to latex. Some latex condoms are plain, dry, and non lubricated. Others have what is called a silicone type dry lubricant, or a jelly type lubricant. The most common spermicide which is sometimes found as part of the lubricant on condoms is Nonoxynol-9.
Spermicides are detergents which kill and immobilize sperm.
The small quantity found on most condoms may not be adequate to protect against unwanted pregnancy if the condom leaks or breaks. Spermicides may be used with latex, skin, or polyurethane condoms. In test tubes, Nonoxynol-9 seems to kill HIV and organisms causing gonorrhea, genital herpes, hepatitis B, trichomoniasis, syphilis and maybe other sexually transmitted diseases. Human studies are less conclusive. In fact, recent research suggests that spermicide may increase a female's risk of acquiring HIV, but . . .