Cervical Cap Insertion

Inserting a cervical cap is similar to how a diaphragm is inserted. You can insert a cervical cap anytime up to 42 hours before having sex.
– First, wash your hands with soap and water, and let them air dry.
– Check your cervical cap for holes and weak spots. Filling it with clean water is a good way to check – if it leaks, there is a hole.
– Put 1-2 ml of spermicide in the dome of the cup. Spread some around the rim too.
– Flip it over to the side with the removal strap and put another 2-3 ml in the indentation between the brim and the dome.
– Sit or stand, but spread your legs. Put your index and middle fingers into your vagina. Feel for your cervix so you know where to place the cap. Separate the outer lips of your vagina with one hand. Use the other hand to squeeze the rim of the cap together. Slide the cap in, dome side down, with the long brim first.
– Push down toward your anus, then up and onto your cervix. Make sure your cervix is fully covered. Press the dome gently to apply suction and seal the cap (3).
For the cap to be effective, you will need to leave it in for six hours after sex. If you are going to have sex more than once, check the placement of the cap, and apply more spermicide before every sex act. You don’t need to remove the cap when adding the spermicide.
Do not leave your cap in for more than 48 hours. Leaving it in for more than 48 hours may result in toxic shock syndrome. It can also cause vaginal discharge and odor.
Avoid using a cervical cap during your period because you risk getting toxic shock syndrome.
You are at a greater risk of pregnancy if you did not insert a cap within two hours before having sex, leave it in for at least six hours after having sex, insert it properly, and use it in combination with a spermicide, or you notice, upon removal, that it has tears or holes. If this occurs, and you are not looking to get pregnant, you must immediately take emergency contraceptive pills (4).