I've been thinking about what to do about birth control lately and the best thing I can come up with is a diaphram. Does anyone even use those anymore? I know what I don't want, but I'm wondering if there's another option out there (besides pulling out or Natural family planning/rhythm method) that I'm not thinking about. We just had our second child, but are not done having kids and would like to try for #3 in a year. I'd love opinions and experiences, please and thank you!
Here's what I don't want and why:
The Pill (any kind)-I was on many different pills for 15 years before conceiving my daughter and had to go back on the pill after she was born, even though I really didn't want to subject myself to the hormones again. It significantly decreased my milk supply and I consider myself lucky to have been able to nurse her without formula until she self-weened at 11 months. I also consider myself very lucky to have experienced no delays in my ovulation returning and both times was able to get pregnant within 2 months of stopping the pill. I don't want to tempt fate and hope it works out that way again.
IUD-I have several friends who are happy with theirs, but I am scared of them. Too many things can go wrong. Plus, we want to try again in a year and I don't want to risk any delay in getting pregnant again.
Condoms-I have tried every kind of condom on the market, literally, and cannot use them with any regularity without getting recurring yeast infections. I have tried non-spermicide, unlubricated (using my own lube), non-latex, natural, etc. etc. etc. and none of them work. I do not have a latex allergy or a spermicide allergy, just something about the friction, even with really good lube and lots of it, irritates me to the point of a yeast infection.
Nuva-Ring-Tried it when I went back on birth control after my first pregnancy and it gave me higher than my normal blood pressure, plus was really uncomfortable to keep in during sex and had to be removed, placed somewhere clean and safe and then I had to wash it off and remember to put it back in. Not ideal.
The Patch-Wore one for 1 week, when It stuck to the inside of my jeans and came completely off. I was so startled by the fact that my patch was stuck to my jeans, I forgot to pull down my thong and peed through my undies. Would have been funny to watch, but wasn't funny to experience.
So, that's how I've come to consider a diaphram. I have no experience with one or know anyone who uses one, so I would love your opinions before I talk to my doctor in a few weeks.
Thank you in advance!!!!
I see you have gotten excellent answers from everyone. The only thing I want to add is the absolute necessity of using a spermicide with a diaphragm. I got a diaphragm to use for a few months while my cycle regulated from the pill, but the pharmacy hadn't ordered in the spermicide. Fortunately we were about to try to conceive, because I was pregnant within three weeks.
I had one. It's an enormous PITA. Yes, you can put it in in advance, but if you don't, you have to get up and put it in, which takes longer than putting on a condom for sure and is super messy. Not to mention, getting it in and out is not the most comfortable thing in the world. I also can't stand condoms, and I liked the diaphram even less.
Another vote here for paragard. I have one and love it. Goes in in a snap, and you can get pregnant immediately after removal.
Good luck.
Hi M.,
I still use a diaphram. It is safe and comfortable, plus I was on the pill for 10 years or so and I just don't want anymore hormones in my body. the drawback is sometimes the lack of spontanaeity.
HTH. Jilly
Yes, I've used a diaphragm since 2001 when I married my wonderful husband. We had 2 planned children 3 yrs apart and then had a surprise baby conceived during a rare use of a condom. Although we don't plan to have more children because of our advanced age, we opted not to have a sterilization/vasectomy because of the risks for both of us. So, we are back using the diaphragm, this time with Extra Strength Gynoll II spermicide for extra protection. With a rare use of condoms I ALWAYS use the Gynol II spermicide along with it for extra protection (it raises effectiveness rates to 98%.
Every time I go to my OB/GYN and ask to be refitted and for a new prescription, he acts like I'm the only person still using this archaic method. I just smile and nod that "Yes, I'm aware of all the other methods, but prefer this one." Gynol II Spermicide that must be used every time with the diaphragm is hard to find, but many places will special order it. CVS carries it in their stores in AZ.
I like the diaphragm because I avoid all hormonal side effects, I can use it when I need it (not like remember a pill every day), neither my husband nor I can feel it during intimacy (if it's uncomfortable, it's likely too largel) and I can have no worries about causing an abortion should the method fail. Though it takes some planning to use, it has NOT put a damper on sexual intimacy. I've been able to breast feed all 3 children to ages 12-15 months without concerns of hormone exposure or milk production problems. A diaphragm can be fitted as early as 6 weeks after a vaginal birth and earlier after C-Section.
So, there are a few of us out there that prefer the diaphragm...just not that many. Best wishes on your search for a compatible birth control. R., midwife Mom of 3
More questions? Send me a private email.
I had one, way back. You have to use spermacidal jelly and then somehow squeeze the now slippery thing to put it in. They dont stay in place. They are messy. I quickly gave up. I had an IUD- nothing to be scared of, it goes in with no more pain than a pap (when they scrape cells, similar feeling) you might get a bit of cramping, but its almost foolproof birthcontrol, you can forget about it. I would really think IUD. If its put in properly, you shouldnt have a problem. If you DO get a problem, it comes out easily (at the doctors)
I've used a diaphragm for almost 10 yrs and most recently stopped to concieve #3...It was great overall. Yes, it's a pain to be spontaneous sometimes but honestly with small children or nursing babies things in the bedroom are pretty planned for me :) I didn't find it any messier than my period, and we all learn how to minimize the mess anyway. One thing I ran into is after the initial doctor at a Planned Parenthood fitted me for my first diaphragm every other doc or midwife I have had check the fit or perscribe a new one has commented on how rare it's use is...which makes me wonder if the last time they saw one was in med school...not a happy thought if you want it to fit properly to prevent prgnancy! I know of but have never used the sponge (or something like it) and it's smaller than diaphragms also a cervical cap may be better b/c of it's smaller diameter if you had problems feeling the nuvaring...but diaphragms are fitted and if done so properly you shouldn't feel them. Eeehhh...so there is my long ramble...It worked for me and both my husband and I were happy with it.
If you found the Nuva Ring to be uncomfortable during sex, you may also have issues with the diaphragm. Have you ever seen/held a diaphragm? The 'ring' of the diaphragm is about the same size or even a little larger than the Nuva Ring and then the middle is latex that must be used with spermicide.
A cervical cap may be a better option, or even the contraceptive sponge.
I also have to suggest that IUD. If you go with ParaGard, there are no hormones in it, and you can try immediately when it comes out.
I have a Mirena. I would have opted for Para-gard, but Im allergic to copper lol! The mirena has very low hormone levels, and has not decreased my milk flow at all! I used a diaphragm twice, and its such a painnnnn!!!! Pulling out and rhythm method are not very reliable, and the IUD can be taken out at any time, and there is zero revocery time for concieving after it comes out :)
