Using protection is absolutely essential to your sexual health, so why do so many women leave it up to the guys to sort it out? You need to use condoms to protect your wellbeing against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but as condoms aren’t 100% effective, most wellness experts will recommend doubling up on your protection. Some women turn to the Pill or the Patch for birth control but if you don’t like the idea of messing with your hormones, and you know you won’t remember to regularly take a pill or replace a patch, you might like to consider the cervical cap.
The cervical cap is a silicone, thimble-shaped cup that fits over your cervix (or the part of your uterus that opens into the upper part of your vagina. The cap provides a barrier (hence, barrier method of contraception) between your partner’s sperm and your egg. The cap also gives you added protection through its coating of spermicide. Instead of relying on yourself to turn to protection in the heat of the moment, the cap can be inserted up to six hours before having sex and must be left in for six to 48 hours – no more, no less. If you’re having sex more than once during this time, you should add spermicide to the cap each time and leave the cap in for at least six hours after sex.
When removing the cap, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The cap has to be placed properly in order to work, so you should be comfortable feeling for your cervix deep inside your vagina. To remove the cap, you have to place your finger inside your vagina and pull it out. Then, you must wash the cap with mild soap and water, rinse it, air dry it and store it in its case every time you use it. You shouldn’t dust the cap with talcum powder or use it with oil-based lubricants such as mineral oil, petroleum jelly, or baby oil. This is because these substances can interfere with the material in the cap, causing it to become brittle and crap. This can also be the case with other vaginal creams, such as medicines for yeast infection, so tread carefully.
So that’s how you use it, but does it actually work? The cervical cap has an 86% success rate of preventing unwanted pregnancies. However, if you’ve already had a baby, the cervical cap will be less effective. Over the course of one year, 29 out of 100 typical couples who use the cervical cap after the woman has had a baby will have an accidental pregnancy. Obviously, your odds of success when using this method of birth control will depend on a number of factors. You’ll need to use the cap correctly, use it every time you have sex, and not have any health conditions or take any medications that might interfere with its use.
While the cervical cap is known as a barrier method of contraception – as it provides a barrier between the sperm and the egg – that does not mean it does the exact same job as condoms; protection against STIs. The cervical cap will not protect you or your partner against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, if you’re having sex with someone who has never been tested for STIs, you must always make sure he wears a condom, even if you’re wearing your cervical cap. As a doctor or nurse has to fit you for a cervical cap, and will teach you more about inserting and removing it, consult your GP for more information.
