The Prentif contraceptive cervical cap: acceptability aspects and their implications for future cap design.

Patients in a private gynecological practice were offered the Prentif contraceptive cervical cap. The first 413 acceptors were sent a questionnaire covering in detail many of the aspects of their experience. The 371 responses contained a wealth of information concerned with safety, effectiveness and acceptability. Safety and effectiveness are dealt with in the companion article preceding, while the less serious risk factors that reduce the acceptability of the Prentif cap are presented and discussed herein. In order of descending frequency, these factors include: odor; difficulty removing; discomfort to partner; difficulty inserting; dislike of spermicide; discomfort to self; urinary discomforts; vaginal infections; vaginal discharge; and vaginal itching. The most attractive features of the cap, as compared with the diaphragm, were: increased convenience; greater safety; less interference with spontaneity; increased frequency of intercourse; and increased libido. Despite multiple problems with Prentif caps, 67.4% of the cap recipients were still using their caps after one year. However, this was among a select group of highly motivated women of above-average intelligence. The causes of cap acceptability problems are discussed along with probable future improvements in cap design that may solve them.