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Original poster

Anyone used a diaphragm or cap?

36 replies

Fumnudge · 30/01/2019 17:25

I'm reviewing my contraception choice, currently using the copper coil but I can't seem to keep my iron levels up and, to be frank, I think it's not agreeing with my personal flora.
I have a doctor's appointment soon and just wondered if the cap is a workable alternative or just too much faff?
Im sure the Daily Mail are not interested in this at all but, just cos I can, fuck off Daily Mail, this isn't for your gratification.
Thanks

OP posts:
Cordillera · 30/01/2019 18:01

I did but got pregnant. Perfect use is hard but I'd like to think possible but I cannot risk it again. When I was using it I was a big fan, put it in an hour before a chance, no hormonal side effects.

I now have a Mirena, after years of swearing never due to having read many a bad experience on here. No side effects for me whatsoever it is brilliant.

Original poster
Fumnudge · 30/01/2019 18:11

Ah, that wouldn't be a good thing to happen.
I've tried the Mirena but I found it made me rage, I need a hormone free option.
Thanks

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · 30/01/2019 18:43

Yes, a while ago. It did work but I did find it a faff. Have you thought of something like the Persona device? I found it very good, but it can get a bit spenny.

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AcrossthePond55 · 30/01/2019 19:05

I used a diaphragm & spermicidal jelly for a few years after DS2 was born, but this was 30 years ago. It worked fine, but it is a faff as TonTon says. It can be a bit of a spontaneity killer to have to say "Wait a minute, I'll be right back" and decamp to the loo to insert it. DH tried to learn to do it so it could be 'incorporated' into things but all he succeeded in doing was shooting it, full of jelly, back into his face when he compressed it. That was a mood killer for sure!!!

Original poster
Fumnudge · 30/01/2019 19:22

Grin mine's not the most dexterous so maybe not.
I'll look into a Persona, I've never heard of it, thanks.
The lack of spontaneity is a worry but we're down to once every fortnight as I'm so shattered so maybe the 'I've put this is so we're damn well gonna use it' reason might up that?
I'm struggling with non hormonal options after that, prob only approx. 7 more years to worry about contraception

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 30/01/2019 21:24

I've put this is so we're damn well gonna use it' reason might up that Grin It might, but I can remember putting it in of an evening thinking 'tonight's the night' and then falling asleep watching TV. Kids'll do that to you!

The best thing that I ever did was getting my tubes tied when I turned 40. Having sex without worrying about pregnancy was truly liberating!

Rulerruler · 30/01/2019 21:29

I'm not sure Persona is available anymore- pretty sure there was a class action lawsuit against them as the failure rate was much, much higher than they claimed. A better bet would be to have a chat with your GP and go through all your options.

Pinkpanther473 · 30/01/2019 21:41

Er...another one here who thought it was great (for about 6 weeks) then got pregnant
In my case I think I fell foul of having sex later on in the night with dh and thinking that I couldn’t be bothered to leave the nice snuggly bed to apply more of the jelly stuff...then...up the duff again quicker than I wanted ideally.
The whole experience put me off trusting the cap in general so we’re back on condoms for the moment (haven’t done well with hormonal contraceptives)

Gummybear14 · 30/01/2019 21:57

They are faff and most don't last more than 3 months with them. They are an unreliable method and I try to advise temping along with it. There are a couple of ladies who love theirs and would never change to anything else now they are used to it though. Give it a go but make sure to practice a lot.

AllGoodDogs · 30/01/2019 22:05

Agree with others, they are a faff and a mood killer, and aren't as reliable as other methods. Pulling it out the next morning with congealed spunk all over it ain't all that fun either 🤢

AllGoodDogs · 30/01/2019 22:07

Not sure of your situation, OP but is a vasectomy an option? Best thing we ever did as I had issues with coils / implants / pills etc over the years.

MargotLovedTom1 · 30/01/2019 22:08

Yes, I was fitted with one and ended up with DC3 🙈.

Original poster
Fumnudge · 30/01/2019 23:00

Thanks for your honest replies, having another child would be fairly disastrous even if I could carry one to term so I won't chance it.
Vasectomy is a no, sadly. I could consider tube tying but it seems so drastic when the menopause is within (vague) sight Hmm, I didn't think of it as an option but shall ask the doctor.

OP posts:
claraschu · 30/01/2019 23:02

I used the cap for 5 years and it was great. No faff, no issues, no pregnancy. I think it is a great alternative.

PatPhoenix · 30/01/2019 23:06

I used it for a while when I was younger. It wasn't great, it wasn't awful. I didn't get pregnant but God knows how as one time when I had it checked at the family planning clinic, I had it in the wrong place (I have a retroverted uterus which I do think makes it slightly harder, I had to practically stand on my head to get it far enough back).

Original poster
Fumnudge · 30/01/2019 23:46

Now I'm pretty sure my cervix is easily accessible and quite low, mooncups we're not comfortable as I could feel them even when I cut the 'handle' short.
I'm assuming I can't use one while I've got the coil in to see how I get on, as it might pull it out? I hope the doctor is well read in family planning Confused.
Wonder if cap and condom work together?
I have had nothing but disasters with condoms so can't rely on them as the only method. I find them a complete mood killer though. Damn.

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 31/01/2019 00:13

Do speak to your GP about a tubal. As I mentioned, I was 40, so about 10 years pre-menopause for me. Our youngest was 5 and the thought of 'starting over' was anathema. Drastic measure were called for Grin

The op was a breeze; a whiff of anesthetic & 2 micro incisions. I walked out about 3 hours afterwards and a couple of days taking it easy. Well OK, I laid around a week but I played it for all I could since DH wouldn't get the snip. IIRC they had us go through one complete cycle using protection but from then on, no worries!

DaisyDreaming · 31/01/2019 01:41

I can’t remember what it’s called but there’s a cap you can buy on amazon which is meant to be one size fits all (my friend said she thought it seemed huge, I’ve not seen one in person). It doesn’t have to be measured to you

WhataMissMap · 31/01/2019 06:14

I used it for 8 years before having children. It was very reliable. I was extra careful around ovulation time.
As soon as I stopped using it I intentionally conceived.

WhataMissMap · 31/01/2019 06:20

Ps It used to be really important that it is fitted well. I assume that the fitting hasn’t changed over the years.
I would check the experience of the person who is fitting you.
The first time I was fitted I was given the wrong size by a young nurse. Fortunately I went back and was fitted by a more senior person who gave me this advice - and a much smaller cap.
I hope it all works out for you.

TonTonMacoute · 31/01/2019 19:24

The Persona is still available. It looks very different from the one I had (back in the dark ages).

Link here

aethelgifu · 31/01/2019 19:31

More effective if used with condoms.

Chasingsquirrels · 31/01/2019 19:45

I got a diaghphram nearly 6 months ago (must order another one) and am very happy with it.
I didn't want hormonal contraception, was using condoms with my new partner and I'm not a major fan of them.
With my late-DH we used condoms when I was in the middle of my cycle but didn't bother at other times.
I don't find it a particular faff, but then I don't live with my partner, so if we are spending the night together I always put it in - if we don't have sex it doesn't matter.

Original poster
Fumnudge · 31/01/2019 20:35

I think I might ask about sterilisation, I thought it was much more invasive TBH.
Thank you for the advice regarding a good fit too, food for thought. I could see how I got on with one and take it from there.

OP posts:
Graphista · 31/01/2019 22:22

Can I ask why vasectomy is a no?

That aside, I couldn't use cap as got a wonky cervix but I wonder if contraceptive sponges are still around? I've used them.

Also the copper coil (I'm personally not a fan of coils though) is non-hormonal

The one thing I would say is DON'T get essure sterilisation in fact I hope it's no longer used on nhs but can't get that confirmed online.

HUGE scandal in states with this.