The cervical cap: effectiveness, safety, and acceptability as a barrier contraceptive
Lauersen, N.H.; Wilson, K.H.; Graves, Z.R.; Calhoun, F.; Leeds, L.E.; Antonopoulos, Y.
Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine new York 53(4): 233-238
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-2507 PMID: 3487717 Document Number: 285499
The experiences of 217 volunteers fitted with the cervical cap were analyzed to asses the cap's effectiveness. The cervical cap's a contraceptive barrier device used widely in Europe and currently under consideration by the Food and Drug Administration for release in the US. In 24 months of use, 43 pregnancies were reported among 39 women (4 became pregnant twice with the cap). The Pearl Index was 22.7 pregnancies/100 woman-years of use. Neither the characteristics of participants nor the characteristics of cap use affected the pregnancy rate significantly. However, the pregnancy rate was higher in participants reporting an average frequency of intercourse of 20 or more times/month and in those who observed cap displacement sometime during intercourse. Medical problems associated with cap use were minimal. Increased vaginal odor was the side effect reported most frequently. The majority of participants deemed the cap a positive contraceptive; 83% stated they would recommend it to friends.