Diaphragm

You should check your diaphragm regularly for holes or tears by filling it with water and checking for tiny leaks. If you see one, replace your diaphragm immediately (and you might want to take a pregnancy test if you think you used it while it was damaged).

Even diaphragms without tears should be replaced every 2 years. You should also be refitted after pregnancy or if you lose or gain 10 or more pounds.

If you use the diaphragm and are concerned about both pregnancy and STIs, doubling up with the diaphragm and condoms could be a good option.

This might get easier with practice. If you haven’t yet read our section on how to use it, you might want to check that out.

When inserting a diaphragm, push it as far up and back into your vagina as you can, and make sure to cover your cervix. You’ll know the diaphragm is in correctly if you can’t feel it. If it’s uncomfortable, the diaphragm may be the wrong size, or not inserted quite right.

For more information, check out our section on How To Use a diaphragm.

Easy! (Sort of.) Check out our section on how to insert a diaphragm.

You can pick up a diaphragm at the pharmacy, but only after visiting a health care provider to get a prescription.

You can leave a diaphragm in for up to 24 hours.

If you want to have sex more than once, each new time you should insert fresh spermicide into the vagina without removing the diaphragm. But remember, you should keep a diaphragm in your vagina for no more than 24 hours at a time.

No, you can’t take it out immediately. You have to leave it in place for at least 6 hours after sex.