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General health

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Original poster

Come and tell me about the diaphragm!

15 replies

zisforzebra · 16/09/2010 13:19

I'm looking for some new contraception but, owing to my high bp, don't want anything chemical like the pill or injections.

In the past I've had the non-chemical coil but it caused six months of horrendous periods so I wouldn't want to go back to that and DH and I are fed up of condoms.

Does this just leave the diaphragm? Does anyone still use them and are they any good?

OP posts:

silentcatastrophe · 16/09/2010 19:17

I have used one and it was fine. YOu can leave it in and forget about it for a bit, so it is easier than condoms. The spermicidal cream numbs things a bit, and not to be confused with toothpaste

I think the cap is fine, although I now have a copper coil. I can't use hormonal contraception either, so for me it's either a cap or a coil.

RaisedFromPerdition · 16/09/2010 19:19

I wanted one but nobody at our local surgery was trained to fit them anymore so was refused. Had a coil instead. Lasted 7 months and the horrendous bleeding got me down so had it removed.

Might ask around about a diaphragm again.

pinkthechaffinch · 16/09/2010 20:08

Well Woman/local family planning clinics will fit them. It's quicker and easier than having a smear.

They can be trick to insert tho-and I have to say I never felt 100% confident that it was in situ correctly-hence dd

pinkthechaffinch · 16/09/2010 20:09

Also, apparently you can use them instead of a moon cup -an added bonus.

fuschiagroan · 16/09/2010 20:10

I heard they weren't very reliable - lowest of all contraception - but still about 96%. How disastrous would it be if you got pregnant?

JorrisBohnson · 16/09/2010 20:14

I tried one before I had my coil fitted. It was messy, fiddly and the spermicide made DP's skin and upset the balance in my fanjo causing thrush. Unsurprisingly I wouldn't recommend it. I think they're only about 90% effective too so not great on that front either.

A copper coil will settle down. I've had mine for about 2 years now and for the first 6 or 7 months my periods were heavier and more painful but after that it settled down and they are fine now. You can't beat it for convenience, well worth sticking it out.

Gigantaur · 16/09/2010 20:16

i too am faced with either the coil or cap.

Im a bit squeamish about the realities of it though.

surely it puts an end to sponteneous sex?

and i don't fancy pulling it back out again afterwards either

Is it really as icky as it seems

JorrisBohnson · 16/09/2010 20:21

Yes, it is Gigantaur.

A1980 · 16/09/2010 22:05

They're fine.

You can put them in a long while before you anticipate having sex and they're very quick and easy to put in.

I wouldn't use them as a moon cup as another poster has suggested. I got my period when i had it in once and it isn't designed to come out in a straight down, with the cup facing upwards position as the moon cup is. The mess is pretty bad when you take it out: it spills everywhere. Sorry if that's TMI but don't use it as a mooncup unless you want a huge clean up operation when you may not be at home....!

alypaly · 16/09/2010 23:52

you could have a coil called the lippes loop which has no hormones or chemicals.

Concordia · 16/09/2010 23:57

marking my spot on this thread although i don't have anything to contribute, except that i am fed up with condoms.
was leaning towards a cap but doctor was advising a coil (not sure which sort)
i have high blood pressure too, and am still breastfeeding dd (23 months)

Original poster

zisforzebra · 17/09/2010 10:58

Thanks everyone! I already use a mooncup so I guess it's a similar process putting it in and getting it back out again?

I'm not sure I'd want to go back to a coil. I've never had periods like I had with that and on one occasion stood up to find I'd leaked through a tampon and a pad and left a puddle on my sofa (very thankful I wasn't on the bus!)

I reckon it might be worth a shot

OP posts:

A1980 · 18/09/2010 18:50

No it wont be similar to using a mooncup. The moon cup is placed where a tampon is: near the outside. The diaphragm needs to go right at the top of the vagina, covering the cervix itself. It can be tricky to get it in to start with and you have to check that it's actually covering your cervix or it wont work. Sorry if this is TMI but you have to really fish around in there and put your fingers right inside to get at it. I found it fine though.

Original poster

zisforzebra · 18/09/2010 22:03

Not TMI at all A1980, thanks for the info.

OP posts:

NotAfraidOfTheBudget · 18/09/2010 23:18

I loved my cap. Would put it in routinely several hours before anticipating sex and quickly slip in a spermicidal sheet (C-film...dont know if those are still available?) at the last moment for extra protection. No issues at all about getting it out, always found it easier than my mooncup now. Also it was good for the first and last (light) days of a period, stopped the sex being too messy

Beware the threads of a coil...I got terrible cervical erosion from mine, which caused constant bleeding and then thrush.

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