Contraception

Cervical cap

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Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

A cervical cap is a small silicone cup that fits snugly over the cervix to block sperm, used with spermicide.

At a glance

  • A cervical cap is a small silicone cup that fits over the cervix.
  • It is smaller than a diaphragm and stays in place partly by suction.
  • It is used with spermicide and left in for several hours after sex.
  • It tends to work less well for people who have given birth vaginally.
  • It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, and availability varies by country.

In detail

It is smaller than a diaphragm and stays on the cervix partly by suction. Like a diaphragm it is inserted before sex, left in place for several hours afterwards, then washed and reused.

Caps are less effective than most other methods: Planned Parenthood estimates roughly 71 to 86% effectiveness in real-life use, and they tend to work less well for people who have given birth vaginally. Availability varies a lot between countries, and caps do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

In a sentence

  • The clinic said a cervical cap was not easy to get in our country any more.
  • My grandmother remembers when a cervical cap was one of the few options available.

Not to be confused with

  • Cervical screening

    Cervical screening is a test for changes in cervical cells and has nothing to do with the contraceptive cap.

Common questions

What is the difference between a cervical cap and a diaphragm?

A cap is smaller and fits snugly over the cervix, partly held by suction, while a diaphragm is a larger, shallower dome. Both are used with spermicide, are reusable and contain no hormones.

How effective is a cervical cap?

Caps are less effective than most other methods: Planned Parenthood estimates roughly 71 to 86% effectiveness in real-life use, and they tend to work less well for people who have given birth vaginally.

Related terms

Sources

  1. Planned ParenthoodCervical Cap
  2. NHSDiaphragm or cap