Cervical cap
A soft rubber cup with a round rim designed to fit snugly around the cervix and act as a barrier contraceptive device. A spermicide is applied to the cap before insertion to kill sperm. A cervical cap is basically a small snug diaphragm and, like a diaphragm, a cervical cap must be sized by a health professional and is available by prescription only. A cervical cap protects against conception for 48 hours and for multiple acts of intercourse within that time. Wearing a cervical cap for more than 48 hours is not recommended because of the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but potentially fatal condition. Symptoms of TSS include sudden fever, an stomach upset, a sunburn-like rash, and a drop in blood pressure. The prolonged use of a cervical cap for two or more days may also cause an unpleasant vaginal odor or discharge in some women.
* * *
cervical cap n a usu. rubber or plastic contraceptive device in the form of a thimble-shaped molded cap that fits snugly over the uterine cervix and blocks sperm from entering the uterus
called also Dutch cap
* * *
a contraceptive device similar to the diaphragm but smaller, consisting of a cup that fits directly over the cervix.
Medical dictionary.
2011.