Diaphragm

Method

A diaphragm is a dome-shaped silicone or latex cup with a flexible rim. A woman uses spermicide to coat the inside and outer-edge, then she inserts it to the back of her vagina so that is covers the cervix where it blocks sperm.

Success Rate

With typical use, 16 women out of 100 (16%) will become pregnant in one year. With perfect use, 6 women out of 100 (6%) will become pregnant in one year.

The Perks

It can be put in place up to six hours before sex and can stay there for up to 24 hours (though fresh spermicide should be applied each time you have sex).

Drag Factor

Won’t effectively protect against most STDs including HIV, and can increase the risk of urinary tract infections & toxic shock syndrome. Can be messy (from the spermicide) and clumsy to use. It needs to stay in place for 6 hours after sex and be washed thoroughly with soap and water.

How To Get It

Through a prescription from a health care provider; the cost is about $15 to $75 plus the cost of spermicide and the exam and fitting for the diaphragm.