Has anyone used a diaphragm?

[hungryfortheinvisible]

And if so, what did you think of it? I can't use hormonal contraception and after a recent awful experience with the copper coil, I'm looking for an alternative to condoms. Does anyone have any advice?

Many many years ago. More of a faff than condoms. If you can cope with a mooncup you can cope with a diaphragm.

Used it years ago, found it ok to be honest. Could put it in a few hours before bed, so didn't spoil the spontaniety 😉

I have a long time ago. It worked. It was a bit icky. It is statistically not the most reliable option. You have to get measured for it by a nurse. All in all I would probably go for condoms instead but worth a try if you don’t like them and can do the necessary however many hours later it is meant to be.

Can you "feel" it when you're having sex? I'm very aware of the presence of a condom. And yes, knowing that you can put it in up to 6 hours before is a real plus as stopping to put a condom on is frustrating. I do use a mooncup with no problems so that's helpful to know it's similar.

Oh, I didn't realise I could get it fitted by a nurse. I thought it had to be a doctor. That's good as it's easier to get an appointment with a nurse than the GP.

What was icky about it?

You can’t feel it, no.

When I had mine it was as a stop gap between DC1 and planned DC2. I didn’t want to take anything hormonal but I also knew the failure rate was slightly higher but for us as that time it wouldn’t have been the end of the world. But I did also combine it with fully understanding my cycle and did generally avoid my most fertile days with it too.... anyway...

It’s a bit squishy as you are supposed to run a good squodge of spermicidal jelly round the edge of the cap before inserting it. This increases the effectiveness but also means it’s a bit like chasing a well oiled eel round the bathroom. Once you get the hang of getting it in, and hooking it out (long nails not recommended) then you’re away.

I had one a very long time ago and used it for about 2 years. Getting it in and out took a bit of getting used to, but was fine and I couldn't feel it once it was in. I didn't particularly like the smell of the jelly that went with it, but they might have improved that in the last 40 years!

Worth trying, to see how you get on with it.

Haha at chasing a well oiled eel around the bathroom.

I'm aware that it's not as effective as other methods, and so we may choose to use condoms around ovulation (I track my cycle so have a good idea). But we both hate condoms and it would be good to have an alternative for the rest of the month.

I really wanted one but it was like no one had ever heard of it. I eventually found a doctor who would measure me up and prescribe one but it took ages to come in at the pharmacy, and then the spermicide was literally impossible to get hold of. In the end I ordered some off Ebay, but then chickened out of actually using it in case it wasn’t genuine. So my poor diaphragm sits unused to this day. Such a shame - it seemed like a good idea for those of us who don’t want hormonal contraception or the copper coil and aren’t keen on condoms.

I was keen for one maybe 7 years ago before DCs. Went to a FPA and the doctor was reluctant to prescribe it for the reasons stated above (difficult to get hold of different sizes and the spermicide) and also said the failure rate was too high for her to recommend to a woman who was at peak fertility (late 20s/30) and that it was more suited to women who are mid 40s onwards. I imagine they might come back into vogue soon though, they seem like a good alternative to hormonal methods of contraception.

I used one for a while though I'm amazed I never came a cropper with it as at one point I was putting it in at the wrong place. It was ok. I'm going to try to get one as I want to try and have sex on the first day of my period in a couple of months.

Do give the female condom a try. They've changed them a bit - less huge and less crackly. You can put it in and leave it, and if you have more than one encounter in a session you don't have to change it.

I had one but never really got on with it - I couldn’t get it out myself!! 🙈

It’s not very sexy getting your OH to hook it out for you the day after 😂😂

Yes moons ago, when I was 17
Used one for years. I didn't think doctors were keen on them now so stopped fitting them?

This might sound really obvious, but as it covers the cervix, presumably it stops blood flow if you're on your period. But is that fool proof? Can you reliably use the diaphragm when you've got your period? Or can that put it out of place? Or does the blood just collect in it in the same way it would the mooncup? Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question.

I had no issues with using on my period I think that's one of the bonuses. You must use spermicide with it though.

Oh no, if they're so difficult to get hold of that might not be an option. It does seem like the only real option for me, aside from condoms and condoms affect the sensation so much. I thought the copper coil was ideal but I had such issues with it and in the end my body expelled it anyway.

I used one for many years, many years ago. It was absolutely fine and I only stopped using it because HIV appeared on the scene and so everyone had to start using condoms.

I'd dont know how it would work of you had a very heavy flow as you need to leave it in place after sex- can't remember how long for,12hrs? It was 30 years ago

I got measured for one, got given it to go home & practice with. After spending a week chasing the bloody thing round the bathroom I went back on the pill.

Loaf - well you're not going to get pregnant in the middle of your period so no need to leave it in place. I can't really remember but I imagine that was my thinking.

I realise the plural of anecdote is not data but my mum conceived my brother while using one so it never seemed particularly appealing to me

I had one back in the late 90s. Bastard thing was huge. And after you had got it in you really couldn’t be bothered any more.

I went to a family planning clinic,ended up with a cap as the diaphragm flew out if I coughed a lot or had my bowels opened.
I got on well with this,as easy to put in as a moon cup.
I didn't know they were unreliable but this was years ago when we were all coming off the pill.I was early 20's.

If I can manage to get one then I think I'll give it a go, but use condoms around ovulation to make sure. I know that in principle I could just use natural family planning on that basis but that feels a bit more of a risk. It wouldn't be a huge catastrophe if I did get pregnant with it. We do plan to have a child in the future, we would just like for it to be a bit more planned. But it wouldn't be awful. If I was dead set against more children then I'd probably rule it out.