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Cervical
Cap
Cervical cap is thimble-shaped, made of latex device (similar to
diaphragm but smaller in size, 1.5 inch or 3 cm) inserted into vagina and fix
it over cervix to prevent sperm entering into uterus for fertilization of an egg,
which results into pregnancy. It should be used alongwith the spermicidal jelly
or cream (which kills the sperm) to be effective in preventing pregnancy.
Effectiveness
of Cervical caps also depends upon the women who have been pregnant and who have
not yet. Fitness of cervical cap may also be affected in case of abortion has
occurred in the recent past. In case of women who have given birth, effectiveness
of cervical cap will be 84-91% whereas in other women, it would be between 68-74%
Well,
the idea of cervical cap is centuries old. Studies have shown that women were
using some sort of device to cover the cervix area to protect themselves from
unintended pregnancies and birth control. The first device in the form of cervical
cap, however, was introduced in England in around 1930s, called as Prentif. It
got FDA approval in the U.S.A, however, in May 1988
Femcap and Lea's Shield
are two popular cervical caps brands in U.S.A.
How to use Cervical Cap :
Its
effectiveness depends upon how it fits to cervix. Cervical caps come in different
sizes for fitness. You may need medical help for first time insertion. Healthcare
professional or doctor at the clinic will help to get it fit into for the first
time and also guide you how to do it yourself. It should be easy to understand
with few practices. However, it is not recommended during menstrual periods.
Cervical
cap should be inserted atleast 48 hours in advance to have intercourse.
Use
of cervical cap involves two steps - insertion and removal
Insertion:
-
Take comfortable position for inserting cervical cap. Either you can stand and
keep one leg on the chair or lay down on the floor or bed with both the knees
bent.
- Separate lips of the vagina
- Squeeze the rim of cervical cap
with one hand and insert it deep inside the vagina as you can
- With fingers,
cover the area of cervix
- Test the suction of cervical cap by gently pushing
and pulling up the cap. If you feel the resistance, it means the cap is properly
inserted.
Removal:
Cervical cap must remain inserted for atleast
8 hours after the intercourse. It can only be removed after 8 hours.
Squeeze
the rim of the cervical cap and pull it out gently. You can either lay down or
squat to have better position for the removal of the cap.
Effectiveness:
Its
effectiveness depends upon how you use it. It should be kept intact before and
after the intercourse. If you notice that it is moved during the intercourse from
its original place, you need to get emergency pill as back-up. Cervical cap should
be used with spermicide to prevent sperm passing through the cervix. About one-third
of the cervical cap must be filled up with spermicide. Please do not spread the
spermicide every where on the cap because too much spermicide may cause cervical
cap to slip off. Wipe off the excess spermicide you find other part of the body
than vagina and vulva. Unlike diaphragm, you do not need to add spermicide each
time you want to have intercourse as long as it is correctly positioned and not
have moved. During the first few months while you are using cervical cap, you
need to take precaution due to high risk of pregnancy for first time of use. Failure
rate of cervical cap could be upto 20% i.e 20 women of 100 using cervical cap
may get pregnant in a year.
Advantages of cervical cap :
- it can
last upto two years
- it is easy to use and can be easily inserted and removed
- it can be re-used many times.
- same amount of spermicide used will
be fine with repeated intercourse within 48 hours provided cervical cap is not
moved from its original correct position
- it requires less spermicide than
diaphragm
- it does not effect menstrual cycle or future fertility
- it
does not affect sexual pleasure
- convenient to use only when desire to have
intercourse, hence it is completely in the control
- it is reversible. It
does not affect male or female's reproductive orgasm.
- Cervical cap used
with spermicidal jelly or cream is 91% effective. But chances may vary depending
upon how you use it and take precautions
Disadvantages of cervical cap
:
- it requires prescription, medical help for fitting in a clinic
-
chances are that some women can still be not fitted
- some women may not like
it due to its abnormal shape
- it can not be recommended for women having
the history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- women suffering from severe
cervicitis (may cause cervical changes) and smears abnormal pap can also not use
it
- if left for more than 24 hours after the sexual activity, it may increase
the risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
- Re-size of cervical cap is required
following pregnancy, abortion, weight gain or loss (20lbs or more)
- chances
of bladder infection may increase due to prolong use
- if cervical cap left
for long hours, strong odors or vaginal discharge could be experienced
- some
women may feel irritation due to spermicides used with cervical cap but it should
go away with the change in the brands
- it may stuck in the cervix which may
require medical help for removal
- does not guarantee of protection against
STDs, however, spermicides may provide some protection against diseases like chlamydia.
against gonorrhea
Next : Contraceptive
Sponges
