Re-examining the role of cervical barrier devices

The role that cervical barrier birth control methods may have in disease prevention

Building on discussions held at a 2002 meeting focusing on the role of cervical barriers, this issue of Outlook reports on recent developments and discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages of these devices.

The Briefing provides information on existing cervical barrier devices, explores safety and acceptability issues, and discusses the role that cervical barrier methods may have in disease prevention.

Conclusions and recommendations:

cervical barrier devices may be able to contribute to reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS
given the seriousness of the HIV pandemic and the long time required to develop viable microbicides and vaccines, physical barriers should be re-examined and evaluated
currently accepted usage guidelines, particularly those that are not evidence-based, should be critically reviewed
researchers must assess cervical barrier methods’ effectiveness against HIV and other STIs, identify a replacement spermicide for N-9 for high-frequency users at high risk of HIV (or show that this is unnecessary), and overcome supply and provision issues (including the need for clinical fittings) in developing countries
the potential of cervical barrier devices for avoiding pregnancy and, possibly, disease prevention, particularly for women and programs in low-resource settings, deserves greater attention

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Re-examining the role of cervical barrier devices