The cervical cap and the diaphragm are small, rubber devices that women put in their vagina (birth canal) and place over their cervix. Both devices block sperm and help prevent pregnancy. Also, both hold a chemical that kills sperm. Birth control with these methods can be stopped at any time and can be used without involving the partner. The cervical cap is smaller than the diaphragm and can be left in place longer. The cervical cap can be worn up to 72 hours, and the diaphragm can be used up to 30 hours. In this review, we compared the cervical cap with the diaphragm for how well it worked for birth control. We also looked at its safety and whether women stopped using it early.
In February 2012, we did a computer search for studies of cervical caps. We wrote to manufacturers and researchers for information about other trials. We included randomized controlled trials that compared a cervical cap with a diaphragm.
We found two trials that compared the cervical cap with the diaphragm. Two types of cervical caps were studied: the Prentif cap and the FemCap. The Prentif cap prevented pregnancy as well as the diaphragm, but the FemCap did not. Women who used the Prentif cap had more abnormal changes in the cervix than diaphragm users. The FemCap users did not have more abnormal changes than the diaphragm users. Many women from both groups dropped out early from the two trials. Similar numbers of FemCap users and diaphragm users reported liking their assigned method.
The Prentif cap worked as well as the diaphragm to prevent pregnancy. The FemCap did not prevent pregnancy as well as the diaphragm. Both cervical caps appear to be medically safe.
閱讀完整摘要
The cervical cap and the diaphragm are vaginal barrier contraceptive methods that prevent pregnancy by covering the cervix. The two devices also act as a reservoir for spermicide. The cervical cap is smaller and can remain in place longer than the diaphragm. The Prentif cap and the FemCap have been compared to the diaphragm in randomized controlled trials.
目的
To compare the contraceptive efficacy, safety, discontinuation, and acceptability of the cervical cap with that of the diaphragm.
搜尋策略
In February 2012, we searched MEDLINE, POPLINE, CENTRAL, and LILACS for randomized controlled trials of cervical caps. In addition, we searched for recent clinical trials through ClinicalTrials.gov and the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). Previous searches also included EMBASE. For the initial review, we wrote to manufacturers and investigators for information about other published or unpublished trials.
選擇標準
All randomized controlled trials in any language comparing a cervical cap with a diaphragm were eligible for inclusion.
資料收集與分析
Articles identified for inclusion were independently abstracted by two reviewers. Data were entered into RevMan, and a second reviewer verified the data entered. Outcome measures include contraceptive efficacy, safety, discontinuation, and acceptability. Outcomes were calculated as Peto odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Life-table and Kaplan-Meier cumulative rate ratios for selected measures are presented.
主要結果
The curves for the life-table cumulative pregnancy rates for the Prentif cap and the diaphragm did not differ. However, the Kaplan-Meier six-month cumulative pregnancy rates for the FemCap and the diaphragm were not clinically equivalent. The Prentif cap had more Class I to Class III cervical cytologic conversions than the diaphragm (OR 2.31; 95% CI 1.04 to 5.11). The FemCap trial did not find differences in Papanicolaou smear results between the groups. Fewer Prentif cap users had vaginal ulcerations or lacerations (OR 0.31; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.71) than diaphragm users. Fewer FemCap users had blood in the device (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.27 to 4.14), but more had urinary tract infections (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.95). In the FemCap trial, similar proportions of women reported liking their device. However, FemCap users were less likely to use the device alone after the trial (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.31 to 0.71) or recommend it to a friend (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.29 to 0.81).
作者結論
The Prentif cap was as effective as its comparison diaphragm in preventing pregnancy, but the FemCap was not. Both cervical caps appear to be medically safe.
