Which is a better barrier contraceptive? The Single size diaphragm, the Caya which is new and revolutionary with a very smooth marketing campaign? Or the more mature FemCap which comes in three sizes and has been around for a good few decades now?
There are many ways to suggest that one barrier contraceptive is better than another, but the true answer is at the foot of the page. But instead of scrolling down straight away take these interesting details onboard.
Reliability
Both devices have been thouroughly reviewed by the EU certifying bodies and the FDA in the USA, and both have been approved for contraceptive use.
Caya sizing
The Caya diaphragm comes in one single size but it's NOT one-size-fits-all.
Diaphragm sizing usually establishes that women need a diaphragm of between 60mm and 95mm. But the Caya only covers the mid range of these sizes, 65mm to 80mm. So if you are too small or too large the Caya wouldn't be appropriate for you. Statistically it's actually about 80% of women who fall into that mid range of sizing, 65m to 80mm which isn't so bad.
However there's a catch. How do you know what size you are, to be sure you fit into that mid range of sizes? The only way to know is to go to your Doctor, MidWife or Gyno' and ask them to measure you.
FemCap sizing
The FemCap is different. It 'caps' the cervix like a thumble covering a thumb, so the sizing is dependent on your cervix, not your vaginal canal. The cervix is about 22mm for a typical woman and never changes unless she has been pregnant for more than a few weeks, at which point it dilates, stretching itself, and after the pregnancy has ended it retracts, but like an deflated ballon it never contracts all the way to it's original size, so it remains at 26mm. The only exception to this is if there has been a full term vaginal birth which woud dilate the cervix further, meaning that with it's eventual contraction it would contract to a larger 30mm size.
The sizing of the FemCap reflects these statuses. There is a small 22mm size, a medium 26mm size and a large 30mm size. Since most women tend to notice pregnancy and remember giving birth it generally safe for them to determine their own size.
When it comes to sizing, the FemCap is more convenient than the Caya diaphragm.
Safety
With diaphragm and cervical cap use it's essential that the devices are in the correct place and that they don't move. User feedback shows that the FemCap is easier to confirm correct placement as it's either on the tip of the cervix or it isn't. Caya users, especially new users can sometimes have uncertanties about the diaphragm being correctly placed and not having moved during intercourse.
Another small safety detail to concider is that the Caya is a soft, thin membrane, stretched over a flexible wire frame. It's not impossible to rip the membrane with a finger nail or something sharp. The FemCap on the other hand is a thicker, chunky piece of medical grade silicone, tough yet flexible. It's pretty much indestructible! Since correct use would involve checking the Caya for any tears this point is probably taken as an indicator of of durability, rather than safety.
Ease of use
If you can use a menstrual cup you can pretty much use a FemCap, just think of it as a small mensrual cup that just sits a little further back.
When the Caya was designed a lot of attention was paid to usability. The Caya can be pinched together to make a long rigid form and then inserted deep inside and allowed to pop open. You can then push it in a bit further and ensure it sits correctly in place. Whilst not as intuitive as the FemCap, feedback and surveys from Caya users say that they fnd it easier to use than traditional diaphragms.
The best one to choose?
In our opinion, when it comes to barrier contraception the most important concideration is correct use. Regardless of any medical study, if the device isn't used correctly it's contraceptive safety goes out of the window. So we would say choose the one that you feel most comfortable and competent using.
If you can insert a Caya, correctly, in the dark after a glass of wine, yet you would be struggling with a FemCap, well go with the Caya!
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