DIAPHRAGMS: HOW DO YOU USE A DIAPHRAGM?

Posted on March 24th, 2009, by admin

To insert a diaphragm:

1. Wash your hands before taking the diaphragm out of its case.

2. Stand with one foot on a chair or the toilet or bath, or crouch down, or lie on your back with your knees bent up. Whatever position you prefer, you will need to be able to bend forward to feel that the diaphragm is in place.

3. Hold it with the rim of the diaphragm facing you, so that as you look at it, it looks like a little cup.

4. Hold the diaphragm in one hand with your thumb on one side of the rim and your first and second fingers on the other side of the rim. If you are normally right handed, it is probably best to use your right hand, or if you are left handed, use your left hand.

5. Squeeze your thumb and fingers together so that the diaphragm forms a narrow oval shape instead of a circle.

6. With your other hand, open your labia, which are the lips covering your vagina, and hold them apart

7. You may want to check for the position of your vagina with a finger, if you are not used to touching yourself there.

8. Bend forward, and gently but firmly push the squeezed diaphragm into your vagina tilting it down on an angle towards the small of your back. You may feel it slide into place as you find the correct angle.

9. The leading rim of the diaphragm should slip under the cervix and then come up against the vaginal wall.

10. Let the diaphragm go as it slips into place.

11. Slide your middle finger into your vagina and feel the rim of the diaphragm that is closest to the opening to your vagina.

12. Push the rim up until you feel it settle into place behind your pubic bone.

13. Using the same finger, feel the soft dome of the diaphragm to check that it is covering your cervix. You should feel a lump something like the end of your nose under the latex. If the latex just gives way easily and it feels flat underneath, the cervix isn’t covered and the diaphragm has gone in front of it, along the wall of your vagina. Take the diaphragm out and start again.

To remove a diaphragm:

1. Slide a finger into your vagina and firmly push it between the rim of the diaphragm and the wall of your vagina.

2. Hook your finger over the rim and pull the diaphragm forward and down. If you can remember to relax by breathing out, or even bearing down, as you do when you have a bowel movement, the diaphragm will slip out quite easily.

After you have had sex you should leave the diaphragm in place for at least six hours because the sperm can live in your vagina for a while and it takes about six hours before you are safe from getting pregnant.

It is fine to leave your diaphragm in longer, overnight or even all day, but it’s important to take it out and clean it within 24 hours or it may start to smell rather unpleasant. If you leave it in place for longer than that, there is also a slight risk you could get an infection. When you are not having periods, if you want to, you can wear it all the time, apart from taking it out and washing it every 24 hours.

Occasionally a diaphragm is difficult to remove. Don’t worry because there is no way it can get lost inside you; it can’t go past the end of your vagina. Take a couple of deep breaths and remind yourself that you will be able to get it out, then try again. There’s no rush. As a last resort you can always go to a clinic and get the doctor or nurse to take it out for you. Just because it is difficult to remove once does not mean it will be difficult again.

When you take it out, wash the diaphragm with soap and water, and dry it thoroughly. You can dust it lightly with cornflour so that it is completely dry, but don’t use talcum powder, which contains perfumes and preservatives. Keep it in its plastic container away from heat and light

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