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Abstract
The objectives of the study were to assess the ability of the Femcap®, a new vaginal contraceptive device made of silicone and designed to fit snugly around
the cervix to prevent the penetration of sperm into midcycle cervical mucus when used
with and without spermicide; and to compare it with the standard contraceptive diaphragm
used with spermicide.
Eight women underwent two baseline cycles of postcoital testing in which no device
was used, followed by three test cycles in which Femcan with spermicide, Femcap with
nonspermicidal lubricant (KY® gel) or the Ortho All-Flex® diaphragm with spermicide was used. The sequence of testing cycles was randomized.
In each cycle, condoms were used prior to midcycle, then a midcycle cervical mucus
specimen was examined to ensure midcycle characteristics and the absence of sperm.
Each woman then had intercourse using either no device (baseline cycles) or the prescribed
device (test cycles) and returned 2–3 h afterwards. Cervical mucus was again assessed
for adequacy and the presence of spermatozoa.
The average number of progressively motile sperm seen per high power field was as
follows: first baseline cycle, 18.0; second baseline cycle, 17.8; test cycle with
Femcap used with nonspermicidal lubricant, 0.1; test cycle with Femcap used with spermicide,
0.2; and test cycle with the diaphragm used with spermicide, 0.0. There was no significant
difference between baseline cycles or among test cycles in the average number of progressively
motile sperm seen (p > 0.05). the average number of progressively motile sperm seen
in each test cycle did, however, differ significantly from the average number seen
in either baseline cycle (p < 0.05).
Femcap, used with either a spermicidal lubricant or a nonspermicidal lubricant, appears
to be comparable with the diaphragm used with spermicide in preventing sperm from
entering midcycle cervical mucus.
Keywords
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References
- Postcoital test: physiological basis, technique, and interpretation.Fertil Steril. 1976; 27: 117-129
- Lea's Shield®: a study of the safety and efficacy of a new vaginal barrier contraceptive used with and without spermicide.Contraception. 1996; 53: 329-335
- Sperm migration through the human cervix.in: Elstein M Cervical Mucus in Human Reproduction. Scriptor, Copenhagen1973
- Laboratory Manual for the Examination of Human Semen and Semen-Cervical Mucus Interaction. World Health Organization, Singapore1980
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 2,
1997
Received in revised form:
May 23,
1997
Received:
April 22,
1997
Identification
Copyright
© 1997 Published by Elsevier Inc.
