Recent news:
September 12, 2012 was the first Global Female Condom Day. To learn about the day's events, along with the latest information on cervical barriers, check out our fall newsletter.
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The Cervical Barrier Advancement Society (CBAS) aims to raise the profile of cervical barrier methods, including diaphragms, caps, female condoms, and other devices, for pregnancy prevention and to provide information about research on female condoms and the potential of cervical barriers to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
What are cervical barriers?
 Most people think of cervical barriers primarily as the diaphragm and cervical cap, but a broader definition would encompass female and male condoms, the sponge, Lea’s shield, and microbicides. Cervical barriers are physical or chemical substances that prevent pregnancy and /or reduce the spread of STIs, including HIV. They do not include hormonal contraceptive methods. For more information about the range of cervical barrier methods, see Cervical Barrier Methods.
Updated CBAS Diaphragm and Cervical Cap and Female Condom Bibliographies
We are excited to share these updated resources with the CBAS community. Our bibliographies of the literature on diaphragms and cervical caps and on the female condom include the latest peer-reviewed, published articles (updated through November 2012). Both bibliographies can be downloaded by following the links below.
Diaphram and cervical cap bibliography
Female condom bibliography
MIRA Diaphragm Trial Results
The Methods for Improving Reproductive Health in Africa (MIRA) trial found no statistical difference in the rate of new HIV infections between women who received the diaphragm plus lubricant along with male condoms for their partners and those in the control arm who only received male condoms. Therefore, the results do not support the addition of the diaphragm to current HIV prevention strategies. To date, condoms remain the only proven barrier method for HIV prevention. This means there is still an urgent need for continued investment and research into current and new HIV prevention methods that give women and girls the power to protect their health. Read more...
Click here for the MIRA Key Findings and Publications brief updated in June 2011.
Why is research on cervical barriers important?
 Sister Kamba works on diaphragm research in Zimbabwe |
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