Cervical Cap

Overview

The cervical cap is a reusable silicone cup a woman fills with spermicide and inserts deep into her vagina before penis-in-vagina sex. The cervical cap covers the cervix and keeps sperm from entering the uterus and fertilizing an egg. The spermicide used with it makes sperm less able to move. FemCap is the only brand of cervical cap available in the U.S. today.

The cervical cap looks like a little sailor’s hat, with a wide, upturned brim. There are three different sizes of FemCap, and a provider will figure out which size she needs, which is based on whether she has been pregnant before and how that pregnancy (or pregnancies) ended. An in-person provider visit is not needed to get the FemCap, but a prescription for it is needed.

One super important thing to remember is that for the cervical cap to work correctly to prevent pregnancy, it needs to be used with spermicide.

The cervical cap is similar in a lot of ways to the diaphragm, another barrier method used with spermicide. But the two are different in a few ways. The cervical cap has a removal strap that makes it easier to take it out, whereas the diaphragm has a small removal dome to help take it out. The cervical cap can be left in for 48 hours, while the diaphragm can only be left in for 24 hours. Finally, the diaphragm is more effective at preventing pregnancy than the cervical cap if a woman has ever had a full-term vaginal birth.

Quick Facts

Pretty effective if used correctly. Can be put in hours before having sex and doesn’t affect hormones.

Effectiveness

The cervical cap is pretty effective the way most people use it. It’s more effective when used with spermicide.
Perfect use: Not enough data
Typical use: 71% to 86% effective
What are perfect use and typical use?

Hormones

The cervical cap is hormone-free.

Side effects

Irritation or discomfort are possible.

Cost

Pay once for fitting ($0-$200) and the cap ($0-$89); ongoing cost for spermicide of around $1 per dose.

STI protection

The cervical cap doesn’t protect against STIs.

Ongoing effort

Has to be put it in place every time before sex.