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FemCap

FemCap is a cervical cap.  It fits inside the vagina and covers the cervix so that sperm cannot reach the egg. It is shaped like a small dome with a large but flexible lip around the outside (almost shaped like a sailor’s cap).   FemCap is designed to trap sperm away from the cervix.

FemCap can be inserted well before sexual activity.  It can remain in the vagina for up to 48 hours.

There are three different sizes of FemCap.  The smallest (with an inner rim of 22 mm) is for women who have never been pregnant.  The medium size (with an inner rim of is for women who have been pregnant, but not given birth vaginally

To insert FemCap, you have to first locate your cervix.  FemCap comes with detailed instructions on how to locate your cervix (it feels like the tip of your nose), and how to insert the cap.  You place spermicide along the inner side of the cap, and a lot of spermicide in the outer rim.  You squeeze the cap into an oval, push it inside your vagina to your cervix, and make sure that it is snugly stuck on your cervix.  If it is sideways it will not work. 

To remove FemCap, you need to push the dome in at the center to break the seal. FemCap comes with a band for easy removal that you tug on.  You can then wash it, put it away, and reuse it next time.

You need to insert FemCap 15 minutes before any sexual arousal, and leave it in for six hours after sex.

Check out our pages comparing caps, shields and diaphragms, describing the advantages and disadvantages of prescription barrier methods, and the risks with these methods.  You will also want to know who can use FemCap.