Cervical Cap
What It Is
The cervical cap is a small, cup-shaped piece of latex rubber with a firm, rounded rim. Because every woman is different, the cervical cap comes in many sizes. You can only get a cervical cap from a doctor or clinician, who will fit you with the right size.
The cervical cap is put in the vagina so that it fits snugly over the opening to your uterus (the cervix). Once it is put in place, the cervical cap should not bother the woman or her partner during intercourse. The woman should be able to walk around with the cervial cap in place for several hours and not feel it.
The cap will not protect against HIV or other STDs. If you are having sex with someone who might give you a sexually transmitted infection, use a condom. TOP
Effectiveness
Perfect user: A person that uses their method of pregnancy prevention correctly all of the time.
Typical user: A person who does not use their method of pregnancy prevention correctly.
With perfect use, the cap is 91% effective for women who have never given birth.
That means that if 100 of those women use the cap exactly the right way every time they have sex, 9 of them may get pregnant in a year.
With typical use, the cap is 84% effective for women who have never given birth.
For those women who don't use the cap the right way every time they have sex, 16 out of 100 may get pregnant in a year. TOP
Advantages
- Cervical caps cause few health problems.
- Cervical caps work well to prevent pregnancy.
- You can have sex as many times as you want for up to 48 hours. You don't need to add any extra birth control cream or jelly.
- You only need to use the cervical cap when you have sex.
- Most men will not feel the cervical cap when having sex.
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Possible Side Effects
Some women may have one or more of the following side effects:
- Allergy to the birth control cream or jelly or to the latex rubber.
- Vaginal infection: This can happen if the cap is left in too long or if it is not cleaned and dried well after use.
- Irritation of the cervix.
- Toxic Shock Syndrome (see Possible Warning Signs, below)
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Possible Warning Signs
Toxic Shock Syndrome can be a serious health problem that comes from a bacteria that grows in the cervical cap if it is kept in place for more than 24 hours. This is why it is important to remember to remove it within 24 hours. If you ever experience the warning signs of TSS listed below, take out the cervical cap right away and go to your clinician or an emergency room.
Toxic Shock Syndrome Warning Signs
- Sudden high fever
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Feeling dizzy, faint or weak
- Sore throat
- Aching muscles and joints
- A rash that looks like a sunburn
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Important Warning
Though the cervial cap is very safe, the spermicide used along with a cervial cap may not be safe for people who have sex with multiple partners.
Spermicide may cause changes in the vagina and anal area that make it easier to get HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If you have more than one partner, or your partner has more than one partner, it is better not to use spermicide. TOP
To Learn More
To learn more about the cervical cap, go to:
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