Cervical Cap for Birth Control

The cervical cap is used to prevent pregnancy. It's called a barrier method of birth control. This is because it keeps the sperm and eggs apart. It fits inside your vagina and covers the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus.

For the cap to work well, you need to use it every time you have vaginal sex. You must use spermicide with it.

To use the cap, apply spermicide to it and place it inside your vagina so that it covers the cervix. (The cervix is the opening of the uterus.) You can place the cap up to 42 hours before you have vaginal sex. If you have sex more than one time when the cap is in place, apply more spermicide to your vagina each time. After sex, you must leave it in your vagina for at least 6 hours. Do not leave the cap in for more than 48 hours.

You need a prescription from your doctor for a cap. Your doctor can help fit you for the right size. A cap lasts for 1 year.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any health problems you have or medicines you take. Your doctor can help you choose the birth control method that is right for you.

How well does it work?

How well the cap works depends on whether you have ever had a baby by vaginal birth.

• If you have had a vaginal childbirth:
  • When the cap is used exactly as directed, it is about 74% effective for preventing pregnancy. This means that about 26 out of 100 people who use it will have an unplanned pregnancy. When it is not used exactly as directed, it is about 68% effective for preventing pregnancy. This means that about 32 out of 100 people who use it will have an unplanned pregnancy.
• If you have not had a vaginal childbirth:
  • When the cap is used exactly as directed, it is about 91% effective for preventing pregnancy. This means that about 9 out of 100 people who use it will have an unplanned pregnancy. When it is not used exactly as directed, it is about 84% effective for preventing pregnancy. This means that about 16 out of 100 people who use it will have an unplanned pregnancy.

If you use an external (male) condom with the cap, you can lower your chances of getting pregnant.

What should you think about when using a cervical cap for birth control?

Some pros of using a cervical cap

• The cervical cap doesn't use hormones. So you can use it if you don't want to take hormones. You can also use it if you can't take hormones because of other health problems.
• It is safe to use while breastfeeding.
• It doesn't affect your menstrual cycle.
• It costs less than hormonal types of birth control.
• You put it in up to 6 hours before vaginal sex. You don't have to interrupt sex.

Some cons of using a cervical cap

• The cervical cap doesn't prevent pregnancy as well as IUDs or other hormonal forms of birth control.
• You need to use it every time you have vaginal sex.
• The cap doesn't protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you're not sure if your sex partner might have an STI, you can protect yourself with a condom instead.
• You may need more than one doctor's visit to fit and check the cap.
• You can't use the cap during your period.
• Some people may find that the cap is hard to put in and take out.
• You need to use spermicide with the cap. Using spermicide can cause irritation to the vagina or penis and can increase your risk for urinary tract infections.