Cervical cap

What Is It?

The cervical cap is a rubber dome that fits tightly over the cervix. A groove on the interior of the cap creates a vacuum seal between the cervical cap and cervix, decreasing the chance of it’s being dislodged during intercourse. Spermicide is placed into the cervical cap before insertion.

How It Works

The cervical cap works by preventing the passage of sperm into the uterus. The spermicide inside the cap acts as a chemical barrier to kill any sperm that might get past the cervical cap.

How to Use

1. Wash your hands before inserting the cap.
2. Fill the cervical cap 1/3 full with spermicide.
3. Locate your cervix with your finger. It feels like the tip of your nose. Make sure that you are in a comfortable position when you prepare to insert the cap, such as squatting or putting one leg up on a chair.
4. Squeeze the sides of the cap together with one hand and seperate your vaginal lips with the other.
5. Slide the cap into your vagina and place it over your cervix. Make sure that it is in place by sweeping your finger around the cap. Your cervix should be completely covered. You should also be able to feel the end of your cervix by pushing on the center of the dome of your cap.
6. Do NOT remove the cap after intercourse. It needs to stay in place for at least eight hours after the last time you had intercourse!
• If you decide to have intercourse again do NOT take out the cap. If you want, you can add more spermicide into the vagina, without taking out the cervical cap.
• Do not leave the cap in for more than 48 hours because it increases your risk of getting Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
7. You can remove the cervical cap by pushing it away from the cervix with your finger.

How To Take Care of Your Cervical Cap

• Wash your cervical cap with plain soap and water.
• Do not use any detergents or perfumed soaps.
• Avoid contact with any oil based products and do not use talcum powder on your cap.
• Let the cap dry thoroughly.
• Hold the cap up to the light to see if there are any tears or holes, or fill it with water to see if it leaks. Replace it if you find faults.
• You should get an examination every year to make sure that your cap still fits correctly and to see if it needs to be replaced.

Advantages

• The cervical cap does not interrupt sex if it is inserted ahead of time.
• It protects against some sexually transmitted diseases.
• It protects against pelvic inflammatory disease and cervical cancer.
• Your partner cannot feel it during intercourse, in most cases.

Disadvantages

• Cervical caps come in only four sizes.
• They can be difficult to insert.
• They do not protect against most STD’s.
• You need a prescription in order to get a cervical cap, because your size must be determined by a physician.
• The spermicide underneath the cap may have an unpleasant taste or smell.
• You cannot use a cap is you or your partner are allergic to rubber.
• Some people may be allergic, or sensitive to the spermicide used in the caps. Sometimes this problem can be resolved by switching brands, or types, of spermicides.
• Cervical caps can cause cramps or bladder pain in some women.
• They can cause discharge and vaginal odor if they are left in too long.
• They can cause Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) in some women if the cap is left in too long.
• They usually need to be replaced every year.

Cost

The cervical cap alone can cost between $30 and $40. Before you can buy one you also have to pay for a doctor’s examination because you need a prescription in order to get one. The cost of the medical examination and fitting can vary. Keep in mind that cervical caps have to be replaced every year and that the cost of using a cap also includes the price of spermicide.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of the cervical cap depends on whether or not a woman has had children. The cervical cap is 9% effective for perfect users that have never had children and 20% effective for typical users that have never had children.

The cervical cap is 26% effective for perfect users and 40% effective for typical users that have had children.

© - Reproduced with permission of SexInfo, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2007.