By Girls, For Girls - A Project by and for Teen Girls

Cervical Cap

Description: A cervical cap is a small thimble-like cup, which is made of soft rubber and which comes in four different sizes. It should be partially fill spermicide, foam or jelly, and then placed up into the vagina onto the cervix. Suction keeps the cap in place so that sperm can't enter the uterus. However, if some sperm manages get around the the cervical cap, the spermicide, foam or jelly will destroy them.

Advantages:: The cervical cap is small and thus easy to transport.; Can be inserted up to an hour before sex; Can be left in for up to 48 hours during which time it
remains an effective form of contraception;   It doesn't matter how many times one has sex provided
      that the cervical cap is left in the vagina six to eight hours
      after one last had sex.; One's partner doesn't have to know that any form of
contraception is being used.; Permits less messy sex; In the process of learning how to properly use a cervical
cap, a women becomes much more familiar with her body; Offers some protection against some sexually transmitted
infections such as chlamidia and gonorrea; Typically can't be felt by either individual; Safe to use while breast-feeding
Disadvantages:: Must be fitted by a clinician; Inserting it can interrupt sex; One should wash one's hands with soap and water before
inserting it into the vagina.; One must remember to bring it when going on a trip.; Increases risk of developing inflammation of the surface of
the cervix.; Can be difficult for some women to insert; Can be placed onto the cervix improperly or can slid
out of place during intercourse;   If it is left in the body for more than 48 hours, one's
      chances of getting toxic shock syndrome are
      slightly increased.; Cervical cap should be filled with a new application of
spermicide, foam or jelly each time one has sex.;   After the cervical cap has been inserted, one should
      check to make sure that it is correctly positioned
      over the cervix.;   One may have to be refitted for a cervical cap after
      having a baby, having an abortion, gaining 10 to
      5 pounds or having abdominal or pelvic surgery; Should be replaced each year
Effectiveness::   For women who had not had children, 20 percent got
      pregnant with in the first year. However, if the cervical
      cap was used consistently and correctly, nine percent
      of women became pregnant with in the
      first year.;   The pregnancy rates for women who have had children
      are slightly higher than for those who have not. For
      instance, 40 percent of women who had had children
      become pregnant within the first year of using the cervical
      cap.
Time Constraints::   The cervical cap should be inserted a maximum of one
      hour before having sex and should not be left in the
      vagina for more than 48 hours.
Location:: Various clinicians, health departments and family planning
clinics can fit cervical caps.
Cost::   A pelvic examination, which is necessary to fit the cervical
      cap, costs approximately fifty to two hundred dollars.
      Furthermore, the cap itself cost anywhere from fifteen to
      fifty dollars and the spermicide, foam or jelly cost
      about eight to seventeen dollars.