Peer Reviewed
Practical procedures

Fitting a diaphragm or cervical cap

Terri Foran
Abstract
Some women prefer to use a diaphragm or cervical cap for contraception. These devices need to be fitted correctly, and the women informed about how to insert and to maintain them.
Key Points

    With the advent of more effective methods of contraception in the 1960s, many thought it would signal the end of traditional methods of contraception like the diaphragm or cap. In fact, in the past few years there has been a resurgence of interest in this method, which was first developed by a German physician called Hasse in the 1880s.

    Diaphragms are simply rubber barriers on a spring rim. Cervical caps are similar but are held in place by suction. The increase in interest has occurred not only because the method remains an option for women who experience side effects with other methods of contraception, but also as a conscious choice for those women seeking more ‘natural’ methods of contraception.

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