How effective are cervical barriers as contraception when used without a spermicide?
Given that women at high risk of HIV infection should be advised against using the diaphragm with an N-9 spermicide, research is needed on whether cervical barriers used with a non-spermicidal lubricant are effective contraceptives or offer any STI/HIV protection. Inadequate research has been conducted to determine contraceptive effectiveness of cervical barriers used without a spermicide and thus results to date have been inconclusive. Current clinical recommendations remain to use cervical barriers with a contraceptive gel for contraception.
