A pharmaceutical composition adapted for use as a spermicide, the composition comprising a gel-microemulsion comprising an oil-in-water microemulsion and a polymeric hydrogel. The gel-microemulsion can be used in a spermicidal method.Also, a gel-microemulsion pharmaceutical composition adapted for use as a formulation base for additional therapeutic agents. Examples of additional agents include, anti-microbial agents and spermicidal agents. Such gel-microemulsions with additional therapeutic agents can be used in methods for appropriate therapeutic treatment.Also, a gel-microemulsion pharmaceutical composition that is adapted for use as both a spermicide and formulation base for anti-microbial agents to provide a dual function contraceptive/anti-microbial formulation. Method of using such a composition as a dual function contraceptive/anti-microbial formulation are also included.