Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!columbia!rutgers!caip!think!mit-eddie!genrad!decvax!wanginst!apollo!brian
From: brian@apollo.uucp (Brian Holt)
Newsgroups: soc.women
Subject: Re: Re: Cervical Caps anyone?
Message-ID: <309a5a3f.110a@apollo.uucp>
Date: Thu, 9-Oct-86 21:14:16 EDT
Article-I.D.: apollo.309a5a3f.110a
Posted: Thu Oct  9 21:14:16 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 16-Oct-86 06:44:41 EDT
References: <11800001@hplsla.UUCP> <428@cci632.UUCP> <249@bgsuvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: brian@apollo.UUCP (Brian Holt)
Organization: Apollo Computer, Chelmsford, MA
Lines: 65

In article <249@bgsuvax.UUCP> gagen@bgsuvax.UUCP (kathleen gagen) writes:
>                                   ....Although some women leave their
>devices in place for extended periods of time, in my opinion this is
>probably not a great idea.  For one thing, the effectiveness of the cap 
>is increased when spermicide is placed within the device befor insertion.

When the cervical cap was first approved for clinical testing in the US
(about 4 or 5 years ago!), people were talking about the experience of
women in Europe:  no spermicide, long-term wearing, etc.
Suddenly, when it became available through clinics participating in
the test studies, women were being told to use spermicide, not
to leave it in longer than *48 hours*, etc.
Apparently, the feeling among the clinics was that they wanted to
keep things as safe as possible.  The hypothesis was that the spermicide
would aid in keeping the seal tight (for suction), and that it was not
a good idea to leave anything made of hard rubber inside the body for
very long.  Unfortunately, this meant that the testing conditions were
completely different from the usage in Europe, and any eventual 
FDA approval would be based on the test practices.
Apparently, however, many of the women (an undocumented percentage) are
leaving the cap in all month, and not using any spermicide, so who
knows what the studies will represent.

>> 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.
>
>It is my understanding that the cervical cap is presently being studied
>in clinical trials in this country.  Only those physicians who are
>participating in these trials are authorized to fit and prescribe
>the device.

I have not heard of any FDA approval yet, either.  In fact, the problem
with the cervical cap is that it has no corporate backer.  Methods such
as the sponge (a disposable contraceptive) rushed through the FDA 
approval process because someone (the sponge makers) spent the time,
money and effort to get it through.  In contrast, the cervical cap 
is essentially a one-time purchase.  Even if you do use spermicide, the
amount necessary is minute compared to the cream/jelly used for traditional
diaphragms or the foam used by many in conjunction with condoms.  The bottom
line is that nobody thinks they can make much money on it, so nobody is 
expending the necessary effort to speed up approval.

An excellent reference on all things contraceptive (including the cervical
cap) is _Contraceptive Technology_ from Harris Publishing in NY. (I'm
95% sure it's Harris, I'll check my copy when I get home tonight).
Although CT (pardon the nickname...) is just what it claims (Technology)
and its intended audience is the general medical practitioner, it is
in fact one of the most up to date and reliable sources of information.
It is published either annually, or every two years (depending on the
amount of change in the technology) and includes excellent discussions
of side-effects, contra-indications, and benefits of all forms of
birth control.
I have no connection whatsoever with the publishers or authors of the book.
You can often pick up a year old copy at Planned Parenthood, or at least
you could a few years ago.

--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If you can't say something nice, say something surreal"  - Zippy's latest

Usenet: ...{mit-erl,mit-eddie,yale,uw-beaver,decvax!wanginst}!apollo!brian
BIX, Delphi: brian     GENIE: b.holt      and assorted other identities...

Brian R. Holt    Apollo Computer    Chelmsford MA.    (617) 256-6600 x7610
--------------------------------------------------------------------------