Diaphragms???

[Swiddle]

Hi - after 3 kids, getting pregnant again is not an option. Had a baaaaaaaaaaad experience with the coil, the pill gives me acne and dh hates condoms.
So what's the diaphragm like? (apart from being difficult to spell?). Easy to use? Effective? Any downsides?

I used one for a bit many eons ago.

Was a bit messy because of the spermicide but other than that was OK.

I have the same question as you because I'm about to stop the pill and start using a diaphragm; see other post. I was fitted at the fpc by a lovely nurse who used to use one and was very positive though they seem to have fallen out of favour?

There's a Yahoo "Diaphragms and Caps" group which I've found to be a good source of information and advice. There's also people on there who can refer you to specific family planning clinics and GPs who still have some expertise in fitting them. (I know there's quite a few in London and other big cities but not sure about everywhere else.)

Hormonal methods of bc don't agree with me. I successfully used a combination of a cap, condoms, and symptothermal monitoring to avoid pregnancy for 5 years. They don't make my favourite cap any more unfortuantely.

I have used a diaphragm for 4 years without any failure.

Advantages:
Quite crude but if the oven is not completely warmed up the spermicide you add can make things a lot easier.

A lot less invasive than a condom

No hormones or remembering to take anything.

I have had lots of accidents with condoms they have been put on by different people and I have had many snap with numerous partners so I find it more reliable.

Disadvantages:

Quite tricky at first to put in but after a bit only takes a second.

It does have to be left in for about 8 hours afterwords but you cant really feel it so it does not irritate that much.

Hope this helps any further questions happy to help

Erm, one other disadvantage is that if you're using spermicide then oral sex is out once it's in. His tongue will go numb

I used a diaphragm for quite a long time. It's a good, reliable method if you can get on with it. I had to get mine fitted at a Family Planning clinic as the nurse at my GP's surgery hadn't been asked for one for years and had no idea how to go about it.

We usually did oral first DP funny about oral after his penis has been anywhere near there .

Ditto about the fitting though I had mine fitted by the doctor and the receptionist (who had used one) had to come and check (I kid you not) because no one else had fitted one , if you are shy make sure they know how to fit one first .