Device and method for intravaginal, barrier-type prevention of conception and infection

A method of preventing conception and infection by sexually-transmitted diseases, comprising the steps of:

• providing a barrier-type device having:
• a cervical dome fabricated from a flexible material and having a fornical rim defining an upwardly facing opening, said rim being folded from said dome inwardly, upwardly, and outwardly, transitioning therefrom into a continuous, annular vaginal brim which circumscribes said dome and extends both outwardly and downwardly and wherein said brim is made from said flexible material including an area of increased material wall thickness which defines a thickened grip portion extending inwardly toward said dome;
• and
• placing the device in an intravaginal engagement which situates said dome in a cervical engagement with said rim fornically engaged and said vaginal brim in a continuous, sealing vaginal engagement;
• providing an applicator including:
• an elongated handle having at a proximal end thereof arcuate support means for supporting said barrier-type device, and
• gripping means for releasably holding said device upon said support means during intravaginal positionment of said device, and wherein said placing step includes using said applicator to place the device in the intravaginal engagement;
• and
• wherein said providing an applicator step includes said gripping means including a plunger slideably disposed in said handle, said plunger having a proximal tip extendable forwardly of the proximal end, and the applicator being adapted to grip the brim of the device between the proximal tip and the proximal end of the handle.