Cervical Cap

What is a cervical cap?

A cervical cap is a small cup you put in your vagina before sex to prevent pregnancy. It’s made of silicone or rubber. The cap covers your cervix so sperm can’t reach an egg. Suction helps it stay in place.

Some people describe a cervical cap as a sailor’s hat. It has a wide, upturned brim with a dome or bowl in the center. It has a strap across the dome to help you remove it after use. The only cervical cap approved in the U.S. is called FemCap®.

Cervical caps come in different sizes (small, medium and large). Your healthcare provider helps “fit” your cervical cap and writes you a prescription. Certain changes in your body, like having a baby, can affect the size you need. If that happens, you’ll need to be refitted. Using the right size is key. A poor fit can make the cap less effective and increase your risk of pregnancy.

How effective are they?

A cervical cap is less effective if you’ve had a vaginal delivery. This is because your vagina and cervix stretch during childbirth. The cervical cap is about 80% to 90% effective if you haven’t given birth. It’s about 60% to 74% effective if you have.

Cervical caps only work when they’re used correctly. If you don’t follow the instructions or use it consistently, your chance of pregnancy goes up. The cap must fit snugly over your cervix.

You can add spermicide to the cervical cap to kill any sperm that might get around the cap. This also increases the cap’s effectiveness.

Cervical caps aren’t as effective as other birth control options, like patches, rings, or intrauterine devices (IUDs).

How do I insert a cervical cap?

To insert a cervical cap:

1. Wash your hands
2. Apply spermicide to the cervical cap in the dome (or bowl) area and the flat part of the brim
3. Apply spermicide to the groove between the brim and dome
4. Get into a comfortable position (most people squat or put one leg up on a chair or counter) and separate the lips of your vulva with one hand
5. Find your cervix by inserting your finger into your vagina (your cervix is shaped like a donut and feels like the tip of your nose), and pick up the cap with your other hand
6. Squeeze the cap and slide it into your vagina with the strap facing down
7. Be sure the cap covers your entire cervix (you can check the placement by inserting a finger into your vagina)

You may need to practice inserting your cervical cap until you get it right. Before each use, check the cap for holes or other damage that may allow sperm to sneak through the barrier. If your cervical cap is damaged, don’t use it.

How long can you leave it in?

Keep your cervical cap in place for at least six hours after the last time you have sex. Don’t leave it in longer than 48 hours total. If you have sex again, make sure to add more spermicide each time.

How do you remove a cervical cap?

To remove a cervical cap:

1. Squat or lay down in a comfortable position
2. Use your fingers to find the strap
3. Push up on the dome to break the suction
4. Pull the cap down and out with your finger hooked in the strap

Finally, wash your cervical cap with warm water and mild soap. Let it dry completely. Then, place it in the container it came in.

How long does it last?

With proper care, a cervical cap can last for up to two years. Be sure to clean it after each use and store it safely. Check regularly for any signs of damage or wear. Some tips for caring for your cervical cap include:

• Wash it with mild soap and warm water only
• Let it air dry
• Don’t use anything other than spermicide in your cervical cap
• Check your cap for holes or cracks by filling it with water and looking for leaks

Where can I buy a cervical cap?

Cervical caps are available through prescription only. Most health insurance plans cover birth control devices. But you’ll need to get a prescription from your healthcare provider.

What are the benefits of a cervical cap?

Some of the benefits of using a cervical cap include:

• Cervical caps are affordable and reusable
• You can use a cervical cap for repeated sexual intercourse within 48 hours
• Most partners don’t feel cervical caps when they’re in place
• It’s easily reversible, so you can get pregnant right after you remove it
• Cervical caps don’t contain hormones
• You can insert it six hours before sex, so it doesn’t interrupt foreplay

What are the disadvantages?

Cervical caps require consistent and proper use every time you have sex. Cervical caps can come out of place during sex, especially if they aren’t the right size. Other disadvantages include:

• It requires a prescription
• Your provider needs to fit you for one
• You have to wash them and care for them properly
• They may irritate your vagina
• You have to remember to remove it after two days (48 hours)
• They offer no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Your provider needs to refit your cervical cap after:

• Any pregnancy with a vaginal birth
• Abortion or miscarriage
• Pelvic surgery
• Significant weight loss or weight gain

What are the risks?

Using a cervical cap may increase your risk of developing:

• Urinary tract infections
• Inflammation of your cervix
• Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)

It’s important to remove your cervical cap after 48 hours to reduce your risk of developing TSS. You can also develop TSS if you wear a cervical cap during your period. If you can’t remove your cervical cap, visit your provider so they can remove it for you.

Who should not use cervical caps?

If you have a history of these conditions, a cervical cap may not be right for you:

• An irregular Pap test in the past
• Inflammation of your cervix
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)

You also shouldn’t use a cervical cap if:

• Your cervix is an irregular shape
• You’ve had surgery on your cervix or vagina
• You’re allergic to silicone, rubber or spermicide
• You’re on your period

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Contact your provider if you’re using a cervical cap for birth control and experience the following symptoms:

• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• A swollen, itchy or red vulva
• Your vagina feels painful, sore or uncomfortable

You should also contact your provider if you can’t remove the cervical cap or it gets stuck (this is rare).

Can a partner feel a cervical cap?

It’s possible. Most partners won’t feel it, though, especially if it’s in the right position.

Is a cervical cap an IUD?

No, an IUD is a completely different birth control device.