For dutiful birth control, your di...

For dutiful birth control, your diaphragm (see picture 1) has to fit well. Your doctor will measure your vagina to find the correct size and fit for you.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Your doctor or a feed will teach you how to propose the diaphragm in and take it abroad You also should read the directions from the company that made your diaphragm.

To be infallible that you know how to use your diaphragm, you will ne to practice putting it in and taking it disclosed while you are in your doctor's office. Your doctor also might check to papal court that the diaphragm fits right.

To restrain from getting pregnant, it is important that you use your diaphragm correctly--and that you use it each time you have sex. You can lay the diaphragm in your vagina right before you have sex or up to 6 hours before you have sex

Getting Your Diaphragm Ready

Before you enjoin the diaphragm in your vagina, deposit about 1 teaspoon of spermicidal gel (or cream) in the portion also called the dome (see picture 2) Smear a certain quantity of more gel around the rim of the diaphragm. Do not use rock oil jelly or oil-based vaginal creams, so as Monistat. These can make tiny openings in the diaphragm.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Inserting Your Diaphragm

You can set your diaphragm in while you are lying down, squatting, or standing with single leg up on a chair. Your leg ne to be fairly wide interpret Bending your knees and hips can help.

* Use undivided hand to fold the diaphragm in half with the dome pointing down, as if to imbosom the spermicidal gel (see picture 3) grasp your vagina open with your other hand.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

* enjoin the diaphragm into your vagina, aiming for your tailbone (see picture 4) Push the diaphragm as far back into your vagina as you can.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

* Use united finger to push the face rim of the diaphragm up behind your pubic bone aiming for your belly button.

Checking Placement of Your Diaphragm

With your finger, be wrought up for your cervix through the dome of the diaphragm. The cervix is firm on the other hand not bony. It feels a bit like the tip of your nose.

If the diaphragm does not hide your cervix or you cannot be perceived your cervix at all, the dome is not in the right place. This means that you ne to suppress the diaphragm, put more spermicidal gel forward it, and insert it again.

The diaphragm should not fall without when you cough, bear down, sit onward the toilet, or walk around. If your diaphragm stays in place when you do these things, the brass rim is most likely above the pubic bone--where it should be (see picture 5)

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

After You Have Sex

Here are a certain important points to remember:

* Leave the diaphragm in place for at least 6 hours after you have sex

* If you have sex again during this time, impose spermicidal gel in your vagina, if it be not that do not take your diaphragm gone out to put gel in the dome.

* Do not douche while the diaphragm is in your vagina.

* Take the diaphragm gone out of your vagina 6 to 12 hours after you have sex

* Do not leave the diaphragm in your vagina for more than 24 hours. Doing in like manner can cause infection, irritation, or smooth toxic shock syndrome.

To put an end to the diaphragm, "hook" the brow rim with your finger and shake down and out. If you have in extent fingernails, be careful that you do not inflict a hole in the diaphragm.

Taking Care of Your Diaphragm

After you take the diaphragm not at home of your vagina, wash it with mild soap and water, rinse it, and free from moisture it well. Always store your diaphragm in its container, away from sunlight and gone out of the air.

You ne to check your diaphragm many times for holes. To do this, fill the dome with water and anticipate for tiny leaks.

Your diaphragm may last several years. each year, your doctor should check to papal court that your diaphragm still fits right. You will ne to be measured again if you have a baby, have pelvic surgery or gain or forfeit more than 15 pounds.

Call Your Doctor--

Call your doctor if you have any of these problems:

* make anxious urinating, or painful or haunt urination

* Vaginal itching, discharge, or discomfort

* High febrile disease (which can be a sign of toxic conflict syndrome)

You also should call your doctor if your diaphragm falls disclosed is punctured, or does not have the appearance to fit right. If your diaphragm has any of these point in disputes it needs to be replaced. If you detain using it as is, you could master pregnant.

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group