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From: rb@cci632.UUCP (Rex Ballard)
Newsgroups: soc.women
Subject: Re: Cervical Caps anyone?
Message-ID: <428@cci632.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 30-Sep-86 11:07:36 EDT
Article-I.D.: cci632.428
Posted: Tue Sep 30 11:07:36 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 2-Oct-86 20:20:31 EDT
References: <11800001@hplsla.UUCP>
Reply-To: rb@ccird1.UUCP (Rex Ballard)
Organization: CCI, Rochester Development, Rochester, NY
Lines: 41
Summary: A little background.

In article <11800001@hplsla.UUCP> daved@hplsla.UUCP (daved) writes:
>On the back page of one of Seattle's local newspapers, the Weekly, in an
>information/classified ad section reads the following ad:
>                Cervical Caps - Birth Control
>    Cervical caps are the newest, yet oldest form of birth control.  They
>have been found to be safe and effective, yet convenient and spontaneous
>and they require NO chemicals.  Cervical caps are available at.....
>Does anyone know what cervical caps are?
>If cervical caps are something new (..yet old..) how effective are they?
>                            Dave Dow     (aka redwood)

The following information is based (roughly) on information reported
from Australia, Canada, and U.K.
Cervical Caps are another "barrier method" of preventing contraception.
They are similar to diaphragms, but are placed over the cervix opening
itself.  In this sense they are "old".  The shape is such that the
barrier effect is more complete than with a diaphragm or condom.

Most of what I have read indicates that a doctor places it, much
like an IUD, to insure a proper fit.  This may have only been for
research purposes, I don't know.  It may be possible for the woman
to place it herself, but it would require some training and practice.

The blockage is more complete, and the amount of "maintenance" is much
lower.  Typically, it only needs to be removed during menstration, if
even then.

It has not been available in this country for general use, pending
F.D.A. approval.  If it is actually available now, I'd like to know.

Several IUD makers have been investigating the cap because of it's
subtanially lower risk of complications compared to the IUD.

As mentioned above, several other countries have been testing and
using this method.  Results are comparable to the pill, yet without
the risks.  It as been reccomended for women who smoke, or have various
medical problems that would contra-indicate the pill.  Some more conservative
doctors may also reccomend the "mini-pill" as a supplement.

There are still risks of infections, but with proper maintenence, these
can be minimized.