A contraceptive cap is a circular dome made of thin, soft latex (rubber) or silicone. It's inserted into the vagina before sex. Find out how it works.
A woman can get pregnant if a man’s sperm reaches one of her eggs (ova). Contraception tries to stop this happening by keeping the egg and sperm apart or by stopping egg production. One method of contraception is the cap.
How does the cap work?
A cap is inserted into the vagina before sex, and it covers the cervix so that sperm cannot get into the womb. You need to use spermicide with it (spermicides kill sperm). The cap must be left in place for at least six hours after sex. After that time, you take out the cap and wash it. They're reuseable.
Caps come in different sizes. You must be fitted for the correct size by a trained doctor or nurse. Find out more about how to use a cap.
How effective are they?
If used correctly with spermicide, caps are 92-96% effective. This means that between four and eight women out of every 100 who use a cap as contraception will become pregnant in a year.
Added benefits to using a cap?
- There are no serious health risks, and you only have to think about it when you have sex.
- You can put them in several hours before you have sex.
What else should I know?
- It can take time to learn how to use them.
- If you lose or gain more than 3kg (7lbs) in weight, or have a baby, miscarriage or abortion, you may need to be fitted with a new cap.
Find out more about sex and contraception after having a baby.
By using condoms as well as a cap, you'll help to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
Further information
Find out about the 15 methods of contraception
Find sexual health services near you
