As parents, you all already know the importance of birth control measures that can be taken to avoid unwanted conception, yet which does not prevent you from enjoying a happy and peaceful sexual life, without the risk of conceiving a baby. If you are newly married and have a proper family planning, you must be aware of the different kinds of birth control. If you are unaware of these in general, and you are not comfortable to discuss these with anyone, don’t worry! We are here to help you.
What is a birth control?
A birth control measure is basically anything that will let you enjoy your conjugal life without any tension of an unwanted conception. Technically speaking, their work is to prevent the sperm cells of to unite with the egg cells, thereby preventing fertilization and of course conception. There are different birth control measures available, condoms of course being the most common one. The other birth control methods available are emergency contraceptive pills, pills which regulate secretion of hormones in the body, diaphragms, IUD (Intra Uterine Devices) and so on. In this article, we have listed 7 facts about using diaphragms as a method of birth control.
What are diaphragms?
A diaphragm is a method of birth control used by women. It is a soft, thin, dome-shaped rubber cup with a flexible rim. It holds spermicidal jelly inside the dome. This cup is placed high in the vagina to hold the spermicide against the cervix. The diaphragm comes in various sizes and must be fitted by a clinician to be effective. It basically acts as a barrier between the opening of the cervix and semen which contains sperm. The fit may not be tight enough to stop all the sperm from getting past the diaphragm; therefore, it is extremely necessary that you know which size fits you perfectly. Otherwise, this method of birth control may fail for you as there are chances that the sperm cells enter your body, thereby increasing the chance of conception.
Diaphragm Birth Control: Use, Advantages, and Risks
Things which you should certainly know before you use a diaphragm
For a diaphragm to work effectively, you need to use it with spermicide:
If you want to use diaphragm as a birth control measure to lead a peaceful sexual life, this is something which should definitely know. Diaphragms alone are not full proof of birth controls owing to different reasons. There are chances that due to its failure, sperm cells might enter your vagina. Hence, it is necessary for your partner to use spermicides, inserted vaginally prior to intercourse, prevent pregnancy. Additional spermicidal jelly should, therefore, be inserted into the vagina before each act of intercourse without removing the diaphragm. This decreases risks of conception, thereby serving the purpose.
Risks involved:
Diaphragms usually work for most women without any problem. However, since this is inserted into the vagina, there is a chance of this leading to irritations and Urinary Tract Infections. Being a foreign body, when inserted deeply into your vagina, your body might react to the substance, signaling you in the form of irritation. If you are prone to UTIs, this method is not suggested for you. Hence if you experience either of these problems, make sure you shift to some other method of birth control immediately.
Be careful:
Using diaphragms as a method of birth control will require a bit of self-discipline and planning. This is because you’ve got to remember to insert your diaphragm every time you have sex. But, you can leave it in for up to 24 hours. Therefore, if you are someone, who is hates planned intercourses and gives in to impulses very easily, this method is certainly not yours. You can however carry it with you if you want, to make things easier for you.
Risk of conception:
The diaphragm can be inserted several hours before intercourse, but it must be left in the vagina for at least 6 hours following the last episode of intercourse. This is because the sperm cells often remain active inside the female body even after hours of intercourse. Therefore, if you take out the device immediately after, and some sperm cell accidentally remains in your body while taking the diaphragms out, you might be at a risk of conception. Therefore, it is always safer to keep the diaphragm in your body for at least 6 hours after your sexual intercourse.
They are different from tampons:
If you’re not okay with putting your fingers inside yourself, a diaphragm probably isn’t for you, because it will certainly take you that effort to insert the diaphragm into your vagina. In fact, that has to be done extremely carefully and diligently. It is a little like putting in a tampon, though- if you can do that, you can probably manage a diaphragm. However, please remember diaphragms are certainly not an alternative to tampons. They are exclusive in their individual functions.
Allergy alert:
If you’re allergic to silicone or spermicide, you shouldn’t use a diaphragm. Diaphragms are made from silicone. So, if you are allergic to silicon, this method is a big no-no for you. Again, you have to pair up diaphragms with spermicide in order to be safe, as discussed earlier. So, if they cause you allergy, then also, diaphragms cannot be used by you.
Possibility of perfection:
The diaphragm is not considered to be an effective method of protection against sexually transmitted infections. Researches have shown that the contraceptive effectiveness of this method of birth control ranges from 84% (actual use) to 94% (perfect use). Hence, diaphragms must be used with spermicide to be an effective birth control measure. Needless to say, it is for the same reason that they also do not act as perfect barriers to sexually transmitted diseases. Hence it is always safer to use other birth control measures in this regard.
Always remember, “It is better to be safe than sorry!” and hence if you are planning to use diaphragms as your birth control method, certainly give this a read and think twice before you take an action. One wrong decision can change your life forever. Happy Planning!
