The contraceptive cap is a method of birth control used by women to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The cap, which comes in different sizes, is inserted into the vagina before sex to stop the man’s sperm entering the cervix and thus preventing any fertilisation of the woman’s eggs (ova).
You need to be fitted for the right size of cap by a health care professional such as a GP or practice nurse. The reusable cap is made of thin latex or silicone and has to be used with a spermicide – this is what kills the sperm and prevents conception. You should insert the cap into the vagina before sex and leave it in place for at least six hours afterwards to ensure all the sperm are captured and destroyed. The cap is then taken out and washed ready for next time.
The cap is between 92 and 96% effective when used properly with the spermicide. It has no side effects and there are no risks to your health from using the cap. Unlike other methods of contraception, you don’t have to worry about it until you’re ready to have sex and, in fact, it can be inserted into your vagina a few hours before intercourse.
You will be fitted with a cap that fits your cervix but it can take some time for you to adjust to inserting and removing the cap. Gaining weight may mean you need to be fitted with a new size of cap, as will having a baby, miscarrying or having an abortion, all of which will alter the size of your cervix.
While the cap can be an effective method of contraception, using it will not protect you against sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). Using a condom in tandem with the cap can keep you safe from contracting the likes of Chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV.
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