has anyone ever used a diaphragm?

[bumbleandbumble]

it seems so outdated...something of the past...but I am seriously trying to find a good non hormonal birth control.

are the new ones better? can you feel it? does it disrupt sex? has anyone tried it and can give an opinion?

[lljkk]

don't know about new versions; no; no; fine, but most reliable combined with another method.

Better than non-hormonal IUD for me.

[WeAreEternal]

I use one.

I hate the idea of using any hormonal contraceptives, and I also hated the idea of a coil.

We used condoms for a long time but my DP doesn't them, and tbh I don't really like them either.

I decided to try a diaphragm to see if it was any better and it really was.
I never tried the 'old' ones (I'm early 30's) but I really like the one I have, it's easy to put in and take out (although it did take a lot of practice at first)
And it is really comfortable. I can't feel it once its in, and that's really saying something as I can't even wear tampons as I find them uncomfortable.

I would definitely recommend it.

[WeAreEternal]

Sorry I didn't answer all of your questions.

It doesn't disrupt sex at all.
A diaphragm can be inserted hours before sex, so no awkward passion pause while you put it in like you can have with condoms.
It can also be left in all day long, you just have to remove it once a day to clean it and then you can put it back in.

My DP works away, so when he is home I usually keep it in all the time and just take it out on a morning while I am in the shower and then replace it after cleaning.
It's comfortable enough that I don't even notice it the rest of the day.

[bumbleandbumble]

do you use spermicide? i have very sensitive skin and vagina and am worried spermicide might irritate..

I might give it a go though.

[WeAreEternal]

Sometimes but not always, in fact that's a lie, I rarely bother.
Because I keep it in virtually continuously when DP is home I don't bother with spermicide.
The only time I do try to use it is if I am at a perticulatly fertal time.
I don't like the gel though it made me dry and uncomfortable, so I got the foam instead, I found it much better.

I have heard people say that diaphragms only have an 80% contriceptive rate, but I think that is massivly down to people failing to have them fitted correctly in the first place.

I've been using mine for nearly three years now and have never had a pregnancy scare.

Whereas I fell pregnant with DS while on the pill and I also fell pregnant on the injection.