Cervical Cap
What is a cervical cap?
The cervical cap is a small, soft rubber cap that fits snugly over a woman's cervix. The groove on the inside of the cap creates a seal and keeps the cap in place together with support of the vaginal wall. The cap acts as a barrier to sperm and the spermicide chemically kills sperm.
How is a cervical cap used?
Cervical caps come in different sizes to fit women, and need to be fitted by your doctor or at your local womens clinic. A cervical cap can remain in place for 48 hours.
You can have intercourse multiple times while wearing the cervical cap -- you don't need to reapply spermicide, but you should check to make sure the cap is still in place. The cap is effective for up to 48 hours, and must be left in place for at least eight hours after intercourse.
- Insertion
Fill the cap dome one-third full with spermicide. Squeeze the rim together with thumb and forefinger and insert into vagina. Push cap deep enough inside so it will stay, then use forefinger and middle finger to complete insertion. Make sure dome of the cap is pointing outward toward the vaginal opening; grasp it between your fingers and push cap as deep into the vagina as it will go. Check that the cap is covering the cervix by running your finger around the rim. If you do not feel a "bump" of your cervix, you most likely have it on correctly. Press on the dome for suction, then twist the cap (like a lid on a jar) to make sure the cervix gets completely covered. Check the fit by wiggling and tugging firmly on the dome, then by running your finger back around the rim. If you can feel your cervix being pulled and the cap remains in place, it is correct. - Removal
Remove by tilting cap to the side then hook your finger under the rim and pull down, off the cervix and out of the vagina. Leave the cap in at least 8 hours after intercourse.
Cervical Cap Care
After using your cervical cap wash it with soap and warm water. To make sure the cap stays effective, regularly check the condition of the cap. You can hold it up to the light or fill it with water to check for holes. Avoid using oil-based creams, including vaginal medications as they can cause damage to the cervical cap.
Success Rate
In general, how well each type of birth control method works depends on a lot of things. These include whether a person has any health conditions or is taking any medications that might interfere with its use. 82-91% The low end of the effectiveness range reflects typical use (use is not consistent or always correct). The high end of the effectiveness range is for perfect use (use is consistent and always correct). Effectiveness decreases for women who have had children.
Side Effects
Most women who use a cerical cap have no problems. The side effects that some women have include:
- Spermicides may irritate the vagina and surrounding skin.
- The rubber or latex in the cerical cap may cause an allergic reaction (this is rare).
Advantages
- Can be inserted many hours before sex.
- Easy to carry around, comfortable.
- Does not alter menstrual cycles.
- Does not affect future fertility.
Disadvantages
- Does not protect against HIV/AIDS.
- Requires a fitting in a clinic.
- Some women cannot be fitted.
- Possible allergic reaction.
- Can be dislodged during intercourse.