Cervical Cap

What is the Cervical Cap?

The cervical cap is a small, hat-shaped device made of silicone rubber. It is sometimes referred to by its brand name, FemCap. It fits over your cervix (the opening of the uterus) and helps stop sperm from meeting the egg. You should be able to walk around with the cap in place and not feel it. It should not bother you or your partner during intercourse.

The cervical cap is used with contraceptive cream or jelly that kills the sperm. It comes in three sizes, so it must be fitted by a clinician or doctor.

The cervical cap does not protect against HIV or other STDs. If you are having sex with someone who might give you an STD, use condoms.

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Effectiveness

Perfect user: A person who 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 cervical cap is 91% effective.

This means that if 100 women use the cervical cap exactly the right way every time they have sex, 9 women out of the group may get pregnant in 1 year.

With typical use, the cervical cap is 84% effective.

For women who don't use the cervical cap the right way every time they have sex, 16 women out of 100 may get pregnant in 1 year.

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Advantages

  • The cervical cap causes few health problems.
  • The cervical cap works well to prevent pregnancy.
  • The cervical cap is comfortable and you should not feel it when you are using it.
  • You only need to use the cervical cap when you have sex.
  • Once the cap is in, you can have sex as many times as you want.
  • The cervical cap will not bother the man during sex.

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Possible Side Effects

  • Allergy to the contraceptive cream or jelly.
  • Vaginal infection. This can happen if the cervical cap is left in too long or is not cleaned and dried well enough.
  • Toxic Shock Syndrome (see below, Possible Warning Signs)

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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.

Rarely does a woman get TSS if she wears the cervical cap for less than 8 hours, but it is possible. 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 or 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 cervical cap is very safe, the spermicide used along with a cervical 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 to not use spermicide.

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To Learn More

To learn more about the cervical cap, go to:

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