Tips for Contraceptive Success: How to Prevent Diaphragm Failure

By Dawn Stacey, M.Ed., LMHC, About.com Contraception Guide
(Reprinted with her permission)

Contraception must be used consistently and according to instructions in order to attain maximum effectiveness. If you use a diaphragm, follow these suggestions in order to lower the chances of contraceptive failure.

If you have any questions about your birth control method, please contact your healthcare provider. You will lower your chances for birth control failure if you have a proper and thorough understanding of how to use your contraceptive.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: N/A

Here's How:

• Put spermicide inside your diaphragm AND around the rim EVERY time you use it.
• After inserting it, make sure that the diaphragm is covering your cervix (as directed by your doctor).
• Wait at least 6 hours after sex to remove diaphragm (do not take it out any sooner).
  

Tips:

• Remember to add additional spermicide into the vagina between each new sexual acts or if more than 2 hours have gone by since the diaphragm has been inserted.
• Diaphragms may fail if they are moved out of place by the penis thrusting against the cervix.
• Using a condom and spermicide with these devices (especially during your fertile period) can result in the greatest chances of contraceptive success.

(Note: Couples who do not wish the pregnancy risk (however small) of condom and spermicide use during the fertile period [or any other time in the cycle, for that matter] have the option of practicing Outercourse & Oral Sex.--Marysia)

For the rest of Dawn's reprints:

• Tips for Contraceptive Success (introduction to the series)
• What Leads to Contraceptive Failure?
• How To Prevent Condom Failure
• How To Respond to Men's Excuses for Not Wanting to Wear a Condom
• How To Prevent Diaphragm Failure
• How To Decrease Failure with the Fertility Awareness Method
• How To Prevent Oral Contraceptive Failure
• Medications and Inhibitors that Lower Hormonal Contraception Effectiveness
• How to Prevent IUD Failure
  

To learn more about contraception, please visit Dawn's work on About.com.

Or you can consult the Nonviolent Choice Directory's extensive Pregnancy Prevention resources. The Nonviolent Choice Directory also sells nonprescription family planning and safer sex items through our website.