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A diaphragm is a small barrier made of rubber or silicone that is inserted into the vagina at the opening of your cervix, physically stopping sperm from reaching an egg. It is used with spermicide and must be inserted before sex and left in until six hours after.

You have to be fitted for a diaphragm by your doctor and given a prescription. Diaphragms are not as effective as other forms of birth control. With perfect use, they have a 6% failure rate, and with typical use they have a 12% failure rate. Diaphragms also do not protect against STDs so you must use a condom!

Diaphragms carry less side effects than hormonal birth control pills because they do not physically alter your body, but they still have some. Some women experience irritation to the material or spermicide and frequent UTIs.

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