FemCap Contraceptive Device

Unlike hormonal birth control, FemCap does not prevent you from ovulating. That means you can become pregnant on the days that you are fertile if you fail to wear the FemCap during intercourse. If you are very sexually active, we recommend that you use FemCap as a continuous barrier by making it a part of your daily routine to remove, wash, and reinsert your FemCap. That way, you’ll always be ready and protected from unwanted pregnancy.

FemCap can be inserted anytime between 15 minutes and 42 hours before sex. When you become aroused, your vaginal wall lengthens and your cervix lifts higher into your body. That is why it is important that you insert your FemCap before you become aroused.

With FemCap, you can decide whether to wear it all the time for continuous protection, or just on an as needed basis. If you want continous protection, you can remove, wash and reinsert FemCap as part of your daily ritual.

Alternatively, you can insert it before you anticipate having intercourse, like before a date, for example.

Sperm can live for up to 5 days inside of you and the FemCap needs to be removed at least every 48 hours to be washed. That is why spermicide is required to be used with the FemCap. Apply a generous amount of spermicide to the bowl, groove, and outer rim.

Spermicide does not need to be reapplied if you have sex multiple times within the 42 hour window but you’re welcome to insert more spermicide into your vagina (without removing the FemCap) between sex acts if you have intercourse multiple times in a 42 hour period.

FemCap must be left in for at least 6 hours after sex (24 hours max) so that the spermicide can destroy any sperm inside of you. If you remove the FemCap before 6 hours, you risk becoming pregnant since the spermicide needs time to work.

FemCap cannot be used during menstruation because it fits over the cervix and would impede the natural flow of menstrual fluid, causing increased risk of toxic shock syndrome. We recommend that you use another form of birth control like condoms while you have your period.

To care for your FemCap, remove and wash the cap with antibacterial soap at least every 48 hours. Let it dry completely and either reinsert the FemCap or place it in its storage container until the next time you want to use it.

FemCap can be used as a continuous barrier, however, it should be removed at least every 48 hours for cleaning even if no intercourse has taken place.

It should then be cleaned with antibacterial soap and dried thoroughly before reinserting for another 48 hours.

After intercourse, the FemCap must stay in place for at least 6 hours. The 6 hour period allows for the sperm that was collected by the FemCap to be destroyed before removal.

FemCap cannot be used while you have your period. The FemCap fits over your cervix and would impede the natural flow of menstrual fluid, putting you at risk of Toxic Shock Syndrome. TSS is a very rare but life-threatening condition. When you use FemCap, you’ll notice changes to your cervical mucus and will be able to detect when you’re ovulating. You’ll have a very good idea of when your period is coming.

We recommend that you use another form of contraception, like condoms, during your menstrual cycle.

FemCap needs to be taken out at least every 48 hours to be washed with antibacterial soap and dried thoroughly. You can then reinsert it if you would like to use FemCap as a continuous barrier, or you can place it in the provided storage container until the next time you need it.

Do not boil the FemCap.

If you’re very sexually active and want to be ready and protected at all times, you can wear your FemCap as a continuous barrier. The FemCap just needs to be removed, cleaned, and reinserted every 48 hours at least. Many people choose to make this process a part of their daily routine.

On the other hand, FemCap can also be used by people on an as needed basis if you don’t need a continuous barrier. If you use FemCap on an as-needed basis, please keep in mind that FemCap must be inserted at least 15 minutes (up to 42 hours) prior to sexual activity because the vagina lengthens with arousal and the FemCap can be harder to place correctly.

You can poke the top of the cap like a button to release the seal, slide your finger under the removal strap, and gently pull out the FemCap.

In order to check that your FemCap is properly placed, move your finger around the inner rim at the top of the cap to feel that it’s securely over the cervix.

Spermicide is a necessary companion with FemCap because sperm can live inside of you for up to 5 days. The FemCap needs to be removed at least every 48 hours to be cleaned. All barrier methods must be used with spermicide.

You can apply the spermicide to the FemCap before insertion and leave the FemCap inside of you for up to 48 hours.

After sex, you must leave the FemCap in for at least 6 hours so the spermicide can destroy the sperm before removal.

If you have sex multiple times in the 42 hour window, you should reapply the spermicide before your next sexual encounter, but you do need to wait to remove the FemCap until at least 6 hours after the last time you had sex.

Because the spermicide is placed into the rim of the FemCap, the vagina is not able to eject the spermicide gel quickly like it would if you used an applicator to apply spermicide alone. It will remain inside of the FemCap and will actively destroy sperm until you’re ready to remove it.

The spermicide should be placed in the inner bowl and along the outer edges of the brim. You should also fill the top of the cap with spermicide so that the sperm will get stuck and be destroyed.

FemCap is made out of ultra soft and flexible silicone. The brim bends easily and all of the edges on the FemCap are rounded and soft. The FemCap is also molded to fit your cervix and is of similar texture and consistency. In clinical trials, researchers found that 100% of the people wearing FemCap reported that they could not even feel the device once it was properly placed. 88% of their partners reported that they could not feel the device during sex. 100% of people (including the 22% of partners who could feel the device during sex) reported that FemCap did not interfere with pleasure. Also, since FemCap is inserted before any sexual activity, it does not interrupt spontaneity.

The FemCap is specifically designed with a longer brim that prevents it from being dislodged during intercourse. In order to accommodate different sexual positions, FemCap is designed to rotate. As long as the FemCap is properly inserted, the FemCap ensures that the cervix remains covered no matter how intense the sexual activity.

If the FemCap was not placed properly and becomes displaced during sex, we recommend taking Plan B/Emergency Contraception.

No, your lubricating fluid comes from your Bartholin Gland which is in the labia, not the cervix, so the FemCap will not interfere with any natural lubrication.

Immediately after sex, you will have normal “spillage” of ejaculate but there will be some sperm left inside of you which is why you need to continue wearing the FemCap for at least 6 hours after sex (24 hours max) so that the spermicide can destroy the sperm before removal.

Yes, only water based lubricant can be use with the FemCap.

In addition to spermicide, you can use water-based lubricants to prevent dryness and condoms for protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Make sure the lubricant is not silicone-based so the FemCap is not damaged

FemCap doesn’t require custom fitting.

Your doctor or telehealth service provider can determine which size you need based on your pregnancy history.

FemCap comes in three sizes: the Pearl (22mm), the Sapphire (26mm), & the Emerald (30mm). You can read about the sizes more here.

FemCap comes in three sizes: the Pearl (22mm), the Sapphire (26mm), & the Emerald (30mm):

• The Pearl (22mm) was designed for women who have never been pregnant. If you are unsure if you have ever been pregnant, we recommend the Sapphire (26mm).
• The Sapphire (26mm) was designed for women who have been pregnant but did not deliver vaginally. This includes people who have had a miscarriage, an abortion, or a scheduled c-section.
• The Emerald (30mm) was designed for women who have given birth vaginally or had an emergency c-section.

FemCap doesn’t require custom fitting.

You should not use this device if you have:

• an allergy to silicone or spermicide
• a history of toxic shock syndrome
• a history of cervical cancer or other cervical conditions
• significant prolapse
• a flat cervix
• an increased risk of STI transmission
• given birth or had an abortion within the last 8 weeks

You should also consider another form of birth control if you’re not able to consistently use the FemCap (or another form of birth control, like condoms) each and every time you have sex. Since non-hormonal birth control does not prevent you from ovulating, you are most likely fertile several days a month. You must use some form of birth control every time you have sex if you want to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

FemCap doesn’t require custom fitting.

If you have a tilted cervix and are unsure if FemCap will work for you, we recommend wearing the FemCap to your next gyno or doctors appointment so your provider can check the fit. We also recommend using a back up method of birth control, like condoms, until you receive confirmation that FemCap will work for you.