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THE DIAPHRAGM
(vaginal barrier contraception)
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| What
is "the Diaphragm"? |
| The diaphragm is a
round rubber dome that fits inside a
woman's vagina and covers her cervix.
It must be used with spermicide (a sperm-killing
cream or jelly). |
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| How
does the Diaphragm work? |
| The diaphragm is a
barrier method of birth control that
prevents pregnancy by placing a physical
and chemical "wall" between the sperm
and the cervix. It must always be used
with a spermicidal cream or jelly.
Be sure that the jelly or cream you
purchase is a spermicide containing
nonoxynol-9. |
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| How
effective is the Diaphragm? |
| The diaphragm
is NOT the most effective form
of birth control. Effectiveness
includes the use of spermicide.
Among perfect users (women
who use the diaphragm EVERY time
they have sex), about 6 in 100
women (6%) is expected to become
pregnant over the first year of
use. Among typical users,
18 in 100 women will become pregnant
over one year of use. However,
using a condom along with the
diaphragm will increase the effectiveness
AND provide protection from sexually
transmitted disease. |
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| Am
I a good candidate for the Diaphragm? |
| The diaphragm is worth
considering if you cannot or prefer
not to use hormonal birth control. You
must be able to use it every
time you have sex. |
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| Are
there any reasons why I shouldn't use
the Diaphragm? |
| The diaphragm may not
be a good choice for you if you
are unlikely to use it correctly
every time you have sex. You
may not be able to use it if you
or your partner is sensitive to
the chemicals used in spermicides
or has a latex allergy. You may
have a higher failure rate if
you have intercourse three or
more times per week. |
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| What
are the most common side effects of
the Diaphragm? |
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increased risk
of urinary tract infections. |
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yeast infections
and bacterial vaginosis. |
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sensitivity due
to latex allergy. |
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| What
are the benefits of the Diaphragm? |
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almost no side
effects and does not effect your
hormonal pattern |
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lower risk of
cervical cancer and pre-cancerous
conditions of the cervix |
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| How
do I use a Diaphragm? |
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Here are the basic
instructions for inserting a diaphragm:
- Wash your hands
carefully with soap and water before
inserting the diaphragm. Apply
spermicidal cream or jelly around
the rim and inside the dome of the
diaphragm. The spermicide must
be on the side of the diaphragm
facing or in contact with the cervix.
It also can be placed on both sides.
- Squeeze the rim
of the diaphragm between your fingers
and insert it into your vagina.
When the diaphragm is pushed up
as far as it will go, the front
part of the rim should be up behind
a bone you can feel in front of
your pelvis (the pubic bone). Tuck
the front rim of the diaphragm up
as far as it will comfortably go.
- Check to see if
your cervix is covered. To do this,
reach inside and touch your cervix.
The cervix feels something like
the tip of your nose. After the
diaphragm is in place, the cervix
should be completely covered by
the rubber dome.
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When
do I insert the Diaphragm?
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| The diaphragm may be
placed up to 6 hours before you have
sex. No matter when you insert the
diaphragm, always be sure to use a spermicide.
Diaphragms should not be used without
this added protection. If you have
put in the diaphragm more than 2 hours
before having sex, you must insert a
fresh supply of spermicide into your
vagina just before intercourse. To do
this, insert the spermicide with an
applicator while the diaphragm is in
place. An applicator usually comes
with the spermicide. You must also
check the position of the diaphragm
and add more spermicide before each
act of intercourse, no matter how closely
together they occur. Do not use oil-based
lubricants such as petroleum jelly;
they can damage the diaphragm. Water-based
lubricants such as KY jelly or Astroglide
are fine. |
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When
should I remove the Diaphragm?
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| The diaphragm must
be left in place for 6 hours after you
have sex, but should NOT be worn for
more than 24 hours. To remove the diaphragm,
pull gently on the front rim. Wash
it with mild soap and water, rinse the
soap off well (soap can harm the rubber),
dry it, and put it back in its case.
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What
should I do if I forgot to use the
Diaphragm or placed in incorrectly?
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| Emergency contraception
is available if you are concerned that
may be pregnant. This can only be used
within 72 hours of unprotected or inadequately
protected intercourse. Call the office
to find out more about this back-up
method of birth control. |
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