24 Mar 09 DIAPHRAGMS: IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING USING A DIAPHRAGM

• Women who use diaphragms have a greater risk of getting cystitis or bladder irritation than women who use other methods of contraception. One reason for this may be that the rim of the diaphragm is pressing on the outlet tube from the bladder. The diaphragm can also hold secretions and bacteria in the vagina for longer than usual and this can be the cause of infection.

• Some women don’t like having to touch their genitals, that is their labia and vagina, to insert a diaphragm, and for some women it is not culturally acceptable. If you are not comfortable about touching your genitals the diaphragm may not be the right choice for you. It is important that you feel comfortable so that you can insert it properly without feeling so concerned that it stops you from enjoying sex.

• If the diaphragm moves out of place while you are having sex, or if after sex you find that it has a little tear or a hole in it, you may want to use emergency contraception. If you think you would want to use emergency contraception if this happened to you, find out where you can get it so you will know where to go if you need to. Read the section on emergency contraception for more information. You must take emergency contraception within 72 hours of having sex for it to work.

• It’s important to have your diaphragm with you when you’re going to have sex. You will need to remember to pack it if you go on holidays. You will need to carry it with you, or insert it beforehand, if you think there’s any chance you may have sex when you’re not at home.

• Some people think that having to insert a diaphragm interrupts sex, but you can put it in well before you are going to have sex.

• Other people make inserting their diaphragm a natural and sensuous part of having sex.

• If you absolutely do not want a pregnancy at this time, then the diaphragm is probably not the right choice for you now.

• If you feel, after taking everything into account, that a diaphragm is the only choice for you, think seriously about what you would want to do if you got pregnant, so that you are prepared in case it happens.

• Oil-based products should not be used with diaphragms because they may damage the latex rubber. Products that are oil based include baby oil, hand Cream, petroleum jelly or Vaseline, massage oil, and any anti-fungal creams or pessaries that you may be prescribed if you have thrush. Some spermicides are oil based, so you should read the label to check. Things that are acidic, like Aci-jel, can also damage latex.

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