About diaphragms and caps

These little things fit inside a women’s vagina and aim to cover the entrance to the womb. They can come in different shapes and sizes and are usually shaped like a dome. Caps are usually smaller in size.

In order for caps or diaphragms to be effective they must be used with a spermicide. If used correctly they are 92 and 96% effective.

The way in that they work is simple, they block the entrance to the womb so that sperm cannot get past, any sperm that makes it as far as the diaphragms or caps is then killed by the spermicide.

Advantages

• you only need to use it when you have sex, if you don’t have sex for 3 days then you do not need to fit it.
• it comes with no serious health risks or side-effects.
• there are a variety of sizes and makes available.
• it can be put in at any time before sex.
• research suggest it can help prevent cervical cancer.

Dis-advantages

• it can interrupt sex.
• the spermicide chemical can be messy.
• its not the easiest contraceptive to use.
• some people have a reaction to either the spermicide or latex material.

Luckily unlike hormonal contraceptives, these do not come with major risks, although some women can develop cystitis if the wrong size is used.