Cervical Cap

Method

A cervical cap is a silicone sailor hat-shaped device. A woman uses spermicide to coat the inside of the cap, then she inserts it into the back of her vagina so that is covers the cervix where it blocks sperm.

Success Rate

With typical use, 14 women in 100 (14%) will become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, 9 in 100 (9%) women will become pregnant in one year.

The Perks

It can be put in place up to 6 hours before sex and can stay there for up to 48 hours (and unlike the diaphragm) additional spermicide is not needed (if you want to have sex more than once).

Drag Factor

Won’t effectively protect against most STDs including HIV and can increase the risk of urinary tract infections and toxic shock syndrome. It only comes in 4 sizes so it may not be an option for everyone. Also, it needs to stay in place for 6 hours after having sex and then needs to be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

How To Get It

Through a prescription from a health care provider; the cost is about $15 to $75 plus the cost of spermicide and an exam.