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Cervical Cap

ID: ANH14131
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: A woman's reproductive system includes the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. During vaginal sex between a man and a woman, semen passes out of the man's penis into the woman's vagina in a process called ejaculation. Semen contains 10s of millions of sperm. From the vagina, sperm can pass through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg from the woman's body. Fertilization of the egg marks the beginning of human development. A cervical cap is a form of birth control or contraception. It's a temporary and reusable device women can use to prevent pregnancy. Made of a flexible rubber, the cervical cap is shaped like a sailor's hat. It has a dome with a removal strap on top of it. The brim surrounding the dome has a short side and a long side. A cervical cap should be used with a substance that kills sperm, called spermicide, to increase its effectiveness. A woman puts the cervical cap in her vagina before having sex to prevent pregnancy. The dome of the cervical cap covers the cervix, which prevents the sperm in the man's semen from entering the uterus. The spermicide applied to the cap kills the sperm that come into contact with it. There are a few things to remember before using a cervical cap. Do not use the cervical cap if you have given birth within 8 to 10 weeks, or had a miscarriage or abortion within six weeks. It is easier to become pregnant using a cervical cap during these times, because the cervix is larger. Do not use a cervical cap during the menstrual period because it can block normal drainage of blood from the uterus, if you have an infection or other health condition affecting your uterus, cervix, or vagina, or if the cap is torn or damaged. To use a cervical cap, wash your hands and remove it from its container. Apply one quarter teaspoon of spermicide inside the dome, up to and including the brim. Apply an additional one half teaspoon of spermicide in the groove between the outside of the dome and the brim. Next, choose a position for you to begin inserting the cap. You can lie down with your knees bent, squat with both feet on the floor, or stand with one foot on a chair. Insert your index and middle fingers all the way into your vagina to locate your cervix so that you'll know where to place the cervical cap. Next, squeeze the cervical cap with the dome facing away from your vagina. Then slide the cervical cap into your vagina with the long side of the brim entering first. Using one or two fingers, slide the cervical cap as far into your vagina as it will go. Check with your fingers to make sure the cervical cap touches and completely covers your cervix. You can leave the cervical cap in your vagina for up to 48 hours. Before removing the cervical cap, wait for six hours after the last time you had sex. To remove it, squat with both feet on the floor. Insert a finger into your vagina to find the strap covering the dome of the cervical cap. Gently push the dome with the tip of your finger to dimple it and break the suction attachment to your cervix. Then hook your finger through the strap and pull down slowly and gently. After removing the cervical cap, wash it with soap and water and allow it to air dry. The cervical cap is most effective at preventing pregnancy in women who have never been pregnant or have never had a vaginal birth. Cervical caps are about 96% effective at preventing pregnancy if used correctly every time a woman has sex. Cervical caps are about 92% effective with typical use, which means either not always using the cap, or not using it correctly every time a woman has sex.

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