Insertion is not a difficult process. Here are the steps to follow:
– Wash your hands with soap and water. Let them air dry without touching anything.
– Check your diaphragm for holes and weak spots. Filling it with clean water is a good way to check – if it leaks, there is a hole. A hole in your diaphragm means that it will not work properly and you could get pregnant.
– Put about 5 ml of spermicide in the cup (inner part of the diaphragm). Spread a little of it around the rim as well (not too much or it will be too slippery to hang on to). Any contraceptive gel or spermicide will do, except for the film or insert/suppository types. Do not forget to check the expiration date of the spermicide.
– When you are inserting the diaphragm, make sure the majority of the spermicide stays inside the fold, where it will be most effective.
– Sitting or standing, spread your legs. Separate the outer lips of your vagina with one hand. Use the other hand to pinch the rim of the diaphragm and fold it in half.
– Put your index finger in the middle of the fold to get a good firm grip (you will be touching the spermicide).
– Push the diaphragm as far up and back into your vagina as you can. Make sure to cover your cervix. If you have placed it correctly, you should be able to feel your cervix through the rubber diaphragm. An improperly inserted diaphragm will usually feel uncomfortable. If it feels uncomfortable, remove it, and try inserting it again.
– A diaphragm can be inserted just before sex. You can also insert it a few hours before. Regardless of when you insert it, you have to be sure to leave it in for at least six hours after you have sex. If you are going to have sex again that day, just leave the diaphragm in place and insert more spermicide high up into your vagina. Some spermicides are specifically designed for diaphragms and may come with an applicator you can use if you are going to have sex more than once within six hours. The diaphragm should not be removed when adding the spermicide (4).
– If you are having trouble inserting the diaphragm, ask your health-care provider about getting an inserter or consider switching to another contraceptive method.
– If you have an infection in your vagina, avoid using the diaphragm. Instead, use condoms until the
infection is gone.
Will my partner feel the diaphragm contraceptive during sex?
If properly inserted, most users and their partners will not feel the diaphragm during sex.
What if I want to have sex multiple times?
You can leave the diaphragm in 6–12 hours after sex. If you have sex again within those six hours, you will need to add more spermicide. When you have sex again, the six-hour clock restarts, counting from the last time you had sex. The diaphragm should not stay in for more than 24 hours at a time.
What if the diaphragm breaks or dislodges during sex?
If the diaphragm tears or moves out of place during use, you should immediately consider taking emergency contraceptive pills to prevent any risk of pregnancy.
How soon after insertion does the diaphragm contraceptive become effective?
The diaphragm becomes effective at preventing pregnancy immediately after insertion and does not affect your hormones.
