1: bladder,

2: pubic bone,
3: urethra,
4: vagina,
5:uterus,
6: fornix,
7: cervix,
8: diaphragm,

The diaphragm is a cervical barrier type

A diaphragm is a shallow rubber cup. You put a contraceptive jelly into the
diaphragm. then put the diaphragm into your vagina. The diaphragm covers
the opening to the womb. Diaphragms are 86-94% effective as birth control.
Diaphragms may offer some limited protection against reproductive tract
infections and HIV/AIDS.

Spermicide kills sperm, preventing fertilization.

How do I use a diaphragm?

• You must use the diaphragm with

contraceptive jelly or cream to prevent
pregnancy.
• You should insert the diaphragm into your
vagina within six hours before sexual
intercourse.
• If you have intercourse more than once while
wearing the diaphragm, use the applicator to
insert extra spermicide into the vagina,
without removing the diaphragm.
• Leave the diaphragm in place for at least six
hours after intercourse, but not for more than
24 hours.

How to remove the diaphragm:

• Wash your hands with soap.

• Place your finger behind the front rim of the diaphragm. Then pull the
diaphragm down and out of the vagina. Be sure your fingernails are
short enough to avoid tearing the diaphragm.
• You may remove the diaphragm while you are in any position that is
comfortable for you
How to insert the diaphragm:
• Wash your hands with soap.
• Hold the diaphragm with the dome down, like a cup.
• One teaspoon(5mL) of spermicide may be placed in the dome of the
diaphragm before insertion
• You may insert the diaphragm while you are in any position that is
comfortable for you
• Fold the diaphragm in half for insertion after applying spermicide.
Spread the lips of your vagina with your other hand. Push the
diaphragm all the way into your vagina.
• Check the position of the diaphragm with your finger. The diaphragm
should cover your cervix, which is the entrance to your womb. Your
cervix feels like the tip of your nose. You must feel the cervix through
the diaphragm.

Side effects
Be sure to tell your health care provider that you are using a diaphragm.
• Irritation in your vagina that bothers you
• Pain with urination

Care and storage of the diaphragm:

• After removing the diaphragm, wash it with soap and water; then rinse and
dry it. Store the diaphragm in the container that it came in.
• Store the diaphragm in a cool, dry place.
• Check the diaphragm for tears or holes of any size before or after each use.
To look for holes, you can hold the diaphragm up to the light, or fill it with
water to see if there are leaks. If the diaphragm has a tear or hole, do not
depend on it to prevent pregnancy.
• Return to the health facility for a new diaphragm once a year or sooner if you
find tears or holes or if you gain or lose more than 20 pounds (10kg).

Advantages:
• The diaphragm with spermicide may offer protection against some sexually
transmitted infections.
• The diaphragm may be discontinued by the woman on her own.

Disadvantages:
• The diaphragm with spermicide has not been proven to be protective
against HIV infection.
• The diaphragm may cause irritation in the vagina if the woman is
sensitive to the spermicide.
• Inserting the diaphragm may interrupt lovemaking.
• A trained health care worker must measure the woman for the
diaphragm and teach her how to put it in and take it out.
• Some women who use the diaphragm contract bladder infections.
 • Spermicide may be expensive and difficult to find.

Background

Birth control Barrier

type

First use 1880s

Advantages and disadvantages

STD protection Possible

Periods Catches menstrual flow

Benefits May be reused 1 to 3 years

Risks Urinary tract infection. Rare: toxic shock syndrome.

A fitting appointment with a health care professional is necessary to

determine which size a woman should wear
Diaphragms should also be re-fitted after any pregnancy of 14 weeks or
longer.Full-term vaginal delivery especially will tend to increase the size
diaphragm a woman needs, although the changes to the pelvic floor during
pregnancy mean even women.

Vaginal tenting, an increase in the length of the vagina, occurs during

arousal. This means that during intercourse, If the diaphragm is inserted
after arousal has begun, extra care must be taken to ensure the device is
covering the cervix.

A woman might be fitted with a different size diaphragm depending on

where she is in her menstrual cycle. It is common for a woman to wear a
larger diaphragm during menstruation. The correct size for a woman is the
largest size that she can wear comfortably throughout her cycle.