1. Barrier Method of Birth Control
A cervical cap is a form of birth control that uses the barrier method. There are a few different caps to choose from, including the Fem Cap and Lea's Shield. Both are small pieces of rubber about the size of a thimble. This cap fits like a dome over the cervix, that part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. By creating a seal around the cervix, the cap creates a barrier between the egg and any sperm.
2. Use With a Spermicide
A cervical cap is most effective when you put spermicide in the cap before you insert it. If you use this device, you must insert it before sex and leave it in for six hours afterwards. You can leave it in for up to 48 hours at a time, and there is no need to apply extra spermicide once you have inserted it. You can remove the cervical cap by placing a finger in your vagina and pulling it out.
3. Maintain the Cap
Wash, rinse and dry the cap every time you use it. Store it in the case that it came in. Don't dust it with baby powder or use an oil-based lubricant like baby oil or petroleum jelly with it; these products can cause the cap to become brittle and crack.
4. Less Effective in Moms
Cervical caps are most effective for women who have never given birth. In these women, it fails for 16 to 20 out of 100 couples over the course of a year. For women who have given birth, this ratio increases to 40 out of 100. If you do use the cap, it's important that it is fitted correctly by your doctor or another health care provider, and that you insert it correctly every time you use it. Cervical caps will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, so it's important to use a condom.
5. See Your Doctor or Family Planning Clinic
If you are interested in getting a cervical cap, you should ask your doctor for a pelvic exam. The doctor will determine what size cap to prescribe, and a doctor or nurse will teach you how to insert it. Some family planning clinics also provide cervical caps. You must replace your cervical cap every year.
