Choosing a Barrier Method
Personalized Care and Guidance
Caps and diaphragms are an effective barrier method choice and well worth considering, particularly if you are fed up with taking hormones.
However, it would be unwise to just buy a diaphragm or cervical cap 'off the shelf' at a chemist – for the simple reason that women's vaginas come in various sizes (particularly after they've had children).
Fitting consultations include vaginal size assessment which will help you find a cap that is perfect for the shape of your vagina and cervix.
Most importantly, I will teach you exactly how to place the device properly – and how to get it into the right place. If you haven't been taught how to do this,
you'll probably position it so that it doesn't cover your cervix and leave yourself wide open to conception.
Used properly, diaphragms and caps are an efficient and safe type of contraception. They have an efficiency rate of up to 95% among women who've been trained to use it correctly (perfect use) however if you just 'stick it in' at the last moment, without being too sure where it's going, then your success rate will be much lower.
In general, if you are a sexually-active woman, there's a lot to be said for inserting your diaphragm or cap before you go to bed (and leaving it in all night) – in case you make love.
Each diaphragm or cap will last several years if it's carefully looked after, so this is an inexpensive contraceptive method, apart from the expense of the spermicidal cream or gel that must always be used with it.
For CE and FDA info:
