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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:

AcrossthePond55 · 01/02/2019 00:17

It's really not. Now mind you, I had my tubes tied 20-some years ago (in the US) so things may have changed improved. But it was microsurgery done via two tiny incisions; one in my navel (scar is invisible), one just at my pubic hair line (hair grows over the teeny scar).

Original poster

Fumnudge · 01/02/2019 11:32

I'm a bit overweight so that could affect the incision size, I know it does with other keyhole surgery.
I did read on MN that sterilisation was hard to get on the NHS at the moment and honestly, if it costs a lot of money, I'd rather it was spent on essential operations.
DH can't have a vasectomy for medical reasons, not fair on him to discuss on here but sadly not an option.
I've just looked up the sponge but the failure rate is alarming.

OP posts:

Dowser · 01/02/2019 12:03

I used it and thought it was great.
Then my husband had a vasectomy at 27 three weeks after our third was born

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aethelgifu · 01/02/2019 13:17

Across, female sterilisation is usually performed under GA here. It's FAR more invasive than vasectomy, it can cause some serious side effects and a lot of trusts will no longer fund it. Essure is also proving the be the next vaginal mesh scandal.

DH had the snip. Best.ever!

Teddyreddy · 01/02/2019 13:38

I got one 1.5 years ago, it was a right faff to get though as very few doctors still fit them. My GP wouldn't do it, I saw an older female GP who said she had fitted them in the past but was no longer up to date with her training. I called round family planning clinics and eventually found one in a big city an hour away that did them. It took 2 appointments as they no longer hold any diaphragms in stock - the first appointment they measure to guess your size and give you a prescription to order in a couple of different sizes. I then had to go back to get it fitted.

After all that, it was more of a faff to use than expected and very difficult to take out discretely in the morning with young children who don't like leaving you alone..... We ended up going back to condoms almost all the time.

AcrossthePond55 · 01/02/2019 13:51

@aethelgifu

Op has already said that her DH cannot have the snip for medical reasons so a tubal is their only option for a 100% permanent method.

There are risks inherent with any surgery. It's risk vs reward with any elective procedure. OP can educate herself about those risks with her GP or a specialist and make an informed decision.

Essure wasn't around when I got my tubes tied. I had the rings round the outside of my tubes, effectively pinching them closed. It was done done under GA.

aethelgifu · 01/02/2019 15:51

Op has already said that her DH cannot have the snip for medical reasons so a tubal is their only option for a 100% permanent method.

The tubal can fail, too, it's serious surgery under GA and it's not provided by many trusts anymore due to cost. A lot of people have not sailed that surgery with a 'whiff of anaesthesia', I've known people who got sepsis, who found it extremely painful, who had an ectopic pregnancy afterwards.

She asked about a cap or diaphragm.

AcrossthePond55 · 01/02/2019 16:44

And I provided my experience with a diaphragm. And my experience with a tubal, which she is free to listen to or ignore as she chooses.

I'm sure she's capable of making her own decisions.

Graphista · 01/02/2019 17:47

DH can't have a vasectomy for medical reasons, not fair on him to discuss on here but sadly not an option

Fair enough. It's usually a straightforward procedure but I accept not for everyone

Well then you're left with copper coil, cap as you've said, sponge if they're still around or female sterilisation or keep using condoms.

VeryLittleOwl · 01/02/2019 18:12

I had one for a few years, I found it fine - you can put it in up to an hour in advance IIRC, but they're not great for being spontaneous. If you find condoms a passion-killer, this is probably 10 times worse! Definitely need to get them fitted properly and if your weight goes up or down by more than half a stone you'll need to get it checked to make sure it still fits (or at least that was the case 20 years ago, current advice may be different).

VeryLittleOwl · 01/02/2019 18:14

Oh, and if your DH is larger than average, it may not work for him. Mine gave one boyfriend a blister after an extended session

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