Diaphragm for contraception: advantages and disadvantages

What is a diaphragm?

The diaphragm, like the IUD , the vaginal ring or the condom , is one of the mechanical contraceptives because it attempts to mechanically prevent the sperm from reaching the egg in the uterus. It looks like a soft cup-shaped cap and is between 60 and 90mm in size. Do you have more questions about contraceptives? We have put together the various means and methods of contraception for you here.

What should be considered with a diaphragm?

The material consists of a soft latex membrane or a somewhat firmer silicone membrane, which is stretched over an elastic spiral or flat spring like a dome. The diaphragm may be inserted a maximum of two hours before sexual intercourse and remains in your body for another six to eight hours in order not to jeopardize the contraceptive effect. It is adapted to your individual physical conditions by a gynecologist. After childbirth, miscarriage or a weight change of more than five kilograms, you should have the size checked. With each sexual intercourse, the correct fit should also be checked when inserting.

reliability of the diaphragm

Gynecologists advise using chemical contraceptives, such as a contraceptive gel, in addition to the diaphragm. They are also intended to kill sperm and thus significantly increase the contraceptive effect of the diaphragm. With the use of a contraceptive gel, the pearl index of the diaphragm is 1-20 (number out of 100 women who became pregnant despite this contraceptive method). So, when used correctly, including using a contraceptive gel, and with the right fitting, the diaphragm is a fairly reliable contraceptive method. However, it does not come close to the safety of hormonal contraceptive methods. The Pearl Index of the pill, for example, is significantly lower at 0.1 to 0.9.

Advantages of the diaphragm

• As soon as you are familiar with the diaphragm and have practiced a bit, the application works very easily. It only needs to be used when needed and the woman’s cycle is not affected.
• You do not permanently expose your body to a supply of hormones as with the pill or the hormone spiral.

Disadvantages of the diaphragm

• The safety of the diaphragm requires good advice and fitting the diaphragm to your body.
• It takes a little time to get used to inserting the diaphragm. Unfortunately, you have to practice it several times.
• The right time to insert the diaphragm is often difficult to determine. Since it can be used a maximum of two hours before sexual intercourse, you have to watch it carefully, because too early reduces the contraceptive effect and too late may disrupt lovemaking.
• The additional use of a contraceptive gel can cause unpleasant side effects such as warmth or burning, because the additional chemical contraceptive used irritates the vaginal walls. In rare cases, an allergy to the gel or the material of the diaphragm can also occur.
• Changes in the body due to childbirth or weight changes often necessitate adjustments to the diaphragm to ensure a continued correct fit.