Cervical cap
The cervical cap is a barrier contraceptive method for women, like the diaphragm . For this purpose, it is put on the cervix like a seal before sexual intercourse. Their placement can be practiced under the supervision of a gynecologist.
The cervical caps are made of silicone. They are available from different manufacturers in different sizes. The portio , the part of the cervix that protrudes into the vagina, is not the same in all women. So that the cervical cap sits well and securely, the correct size must be determined individually. This can be done by gynecologists or midwives; In addition, such adjustments are also offered by specialists at organizations such as pro Familia or women's health centers.
The FemCap is a further development of the cervical cap. In the past, the cervical cap was only used by the doctor and stayed there until the next menstruation . Now every woman can insert and remove them herself as needed.
The prerequisite for their effectiveness is that they are used in good time before sexual intercourse and are removed no earlier than eight hours after the last intercourse and a spermicide is used in gel form. Cervical caps do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases . To protect against illness, the simultaneous use of a condom or femidom is therefore recommended and possible without any problems.
Portio caps are not suitable for women who have a bent or kinked uterus.
safety
The security of the cap varies depending on whether the user has already given birth to a child. Typically 14 out of 100 users who have not given birth before will become pregnant each year. The method of contraception is far less safe for women who have already given birth. 29 out of 100 get pregnant within a year.
The manufacturer of the cervical cap "Prentif cap" states the number of unwanted pregnancies between 4 and 8% if 100 women use this method for 12 months of contraception. Pro familia warns that it is not possible to make a clear statement about the contraceptive safety of the method. Pro Juventute assumes that the cervical cap, when used correctly, has a Pearl Index of 2 to 18 and is therefore just as safe as a condom.
Side effects
Today all available caps are made of silicone, so the problem of latex allergies is a thing of the past. The nonoxynol-9 contained in many spermicides can irritate the mucous membranes; It is advisable to switch to gels whose active ingredient is lactic acid or citric acid (sperm statics).
Use for insemination
Just like the diaphragm, the cervical cap can also be used for exactly the opposite purpose and promote pregnancy, namely when the sperm itself is placed there instead of sperm-killing substances, and from there it finds its way into the uterus particularly safely. This type of use is mainly used for private artificial insemination by a donor.
Individual evidence
Web links
- Familienplanung.de - Portiokappe : The information portal of the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA)
- Women's health centers
- Pro Familia German Society for Family Planning, Sex Education and Sexual Counseling eV
- Pro Juventute Switzerland
