Diaphragm Ladies?

I am 46 and have used this only since I was 21.
Buy some gel Gynol. Take your diaphragm and squeeze out about a T. of spermicide on the inner cup of the diaphragm. spread it around thick. Then take some more and spread it around the outside rim making sure to get in the crease of the rim. Insert the diaphragm. Then you can take the applicator usually supplied with the gel and insert an applicator-full of the gel with the diaphragm in place. Do this up to 4 hours before sex. But you have to remember to insert more gel with applicator if you have sex again. Don't leave it in for more than 8 hours after you've had sex. But you can take it out, clean it and reuse. I have never had a pregnancy scare with this because I used it with natural family planning based on a 28 day cycle and knew for many years when to avoid sex if I didn't want to get pregnant just to make this even more effective. There are ovulation formulas you can use if I remember they are on pregnancy.com or one of those sites. You put in the numbers for a formula that is provided and it tells you your most fertile times.
Worked like a charm for me! Good luck.

I did for over nine years before I had my hysterectomy about a month ago. Not only put the spermicide iin it, but spread it liberally around the rim. I could not use hormonal contraceptives due to cardiac risk factors, and I got pregnant while using spermicide alone. So this was our best option. Can put it in in advance which is great for non-interrupted sex.

I use something called a Cervical cap by http://www.femcap.com/. It can be inserted for 3 days. I also use a lactic acid based spermicide. It can be a bit more difficult of a learning curve than the diaphram but it allows for a bit more spontaneity. I prefer it over condom (I react badly to noxonal 9) and hormonal control doesn't work for me. I tried an IUD and my body spit it out 3 days later. i have had a couple now and it has worked great for me and my hubby.

I learned, after my first pregnancy, that I was not a good fit for a diaphram because I have a "tilted womb." They are also only about 80-85% effective. Make sure you get well counseled on putting it in effectively, use spermicide, and know that it is definitely better than nothing, but it is not 100%. Good luck. I had similar issues, and I'm glad I'm done with all of that!

Yep, I've used it for 27 years and both of our children were planned--no oopses. Then again, it did take 9 months for me to get pregnant with the first one and 5 months with the second, so we may not be the most fertile couple on the planet. There is a gel specifically intended for diaphragm use with nonoxyl-9 (spelling?) which is spread inside the diaphragm before you insert it. The catch is that you have to use the device EVERY SINGLE time and it needs to stay in for 6 hours after intercourse. Also, if you have intercourse more than once while it is in, you are supposed to insert some more spermicide gel with an applicator. I can't tell you whether that is really necessary for it to be effective, however. One thing I noticed is that a few OB/GYN's are not very familiar with it because it is a less-frequently used contraceptive, so if your GYN is a youngster who looks uncertain about how to measure you for it, do ask him/her to bring in a nurse who IS familiar with it or find another GYN. Good luck!

I've used it since I was married 10 years ago and have had no "surprise" babies from it yet (although we have our 3rd baby from use of condom without additional spermicide). Make sure you have a Dr or Midwife fit you properly. You shouldn't feel any discomfort once it's in if it fits properly. About any pharmacy can special order it for you. You have a choice of regular or extra strength Gynol II spermicide (ask for special order if you can't find it in stores--I get mine at CVS). Put a teaspoon or more in the bowl and some around the rim, then insert and leave in place 6-8 hours.
It takes some getting use to, but it has been the best option for my husband and I as we are not a fan of hormonal contraception and we are Pro Life which excludes other methods for us. Best wishes! Nurse Midwife Mom

Yes, I have used it for about 10 years, I briefly used condoms and took the pill for a few months then settled on a diaphragm. I did have two unplanned pregnancies and they were a direct result of FAILING to put the diaphragm in EVERY TIME I had sex (both were a result having sex ONE TIME w/o the diaphragm) ...so pretty much like forgetting to take your pill or neglecting to put the condom on :) Talk to your doc or midwife, they will fit you and show you how to use it properly and take care of it. I L. that there are no side effects or thinking about birth control when I am not regularly having sex, I do not L. either putting it in ahead of time when I "plan" on having sex or interrupting foreplay to put it in b/c I am about to have sex (hence two unplanned pregnancies).

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I think it is a decent contraceptive and use it because I cannot stand any other form of birth control. Still waiting for something better to come along. Bad things about them are that they can get stuck up in there, yes I'm serious. Took me an awkward hour once to get it out during which I was imagining what that visit to the doctors office would be like!!!! Also I found out the hard way that I can't tolerate spermicide. Never was a problem til after I had a baby and I guess my system changed or something... wound up with the worst most painful yeast infection of my life. Did some research and learned that you can make your own homemade spermicide using pure aloe vera gel and lemon juice. Of course it is not as effective as nonoxynol, but for me the only option. Then again I'm not prone to easily get pregnant. Other than that I find the diaphragm to really be a spontaneity killer, try as I may to plan ahead. Seems on the nights that I would insert it ahead of time "just in case", I wouldn't see any action. then of course when I wouldn't do that, sparks would fly and we'd have to interupt things so I could go in the bathroom. Still, nothing else seems to work for me so I'd recommend it as a pretty natural way to go.

I think you should both visit your health care practitioner so they can show you BOTH how it's supposed to be used properly.
Diaphragms aren't very reliable unless you both understand the concept and are diligent together about it.

Just my opinion.

I used a diaphragm, and as others have said, it works great if you use it!

If you are one that prefers spontaneous sex, you can insert it every night..... otherwise, you have to be sure to put it in for it to be effective.

We tried condoms at first, and that was how we ended up with 2 of our first 3.....

What is wrong with condoms. It's his job to care for you and the family.

I'm a fan of condoms. That's all we use.