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  2. Caps and Diaphragms

Caps and Diaphragms

A circular dome made of soft thin silicone that is inserted into the vagina before sex, covering the cervix so the sperm can't fertilise an egg

How effective are they?

Perfect use: 92-96% effective. Between 4 and 8 women in 100 who use a diaphragm or cap with spermicide will get pregnant in a year.

Typical use: around 71-88% effective. Between 12 and 29 women in 100 using a diaphragm or cap will get pregnant in a year.

What are the advantages?

  • There are no serious health risks or side effects,
  • Only use it when you want to have sex,
  • Used with a condom can increase the effectiveness of the contraception.

What are the risks?

  • Remove it to soon, has to be left in for at least 6 hours after sex,
  • Has to be used correctly and takes time learning how to use it
  • Doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections,
  • If its damaged it wont work.

What makes them less effective?

  • If you have it in for more than 3 hours you have to add more spermicide,
  • Spermicide can cause irritation in some women and their partner,
  • You don’t use spermicide
  • Not the right size, if you gain or lose weight you may need to get a different size,
  • Using medication creams, pessaries or suppositories can damage the latex,
  • You use oil based lubricants such as baby oil or lotions which damage the cap/diaphragm,
  • Weakened vaginal muscles, for example from giving birth, the cap wont be held in place.
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