Barriers: Working together to prevent pregnancy and STDs

Barrier birth control is any technique that uses a physical device to block the way of the hundreds of millions of pesky little sperm let loose each time a man ejaculates. The essence of all contraception is keeping sperm and egg apart.

In the early days of contraception, some women used half a lemon (kids, don’t try this at home). Condoms, the barrier method we know best, were popularized about 200 years ago by the famed Latin lover Casanova. In 1839, the Goodyear Tire company introduced the rubber condom, and today we live in the era of latex.

This week I will fill you in on the diaphragm. For women who cannot take hormones or don’t like the idea of regular medication, the diaphragm (used together with a condom) is one way for women to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

A diaphragm is a small rubber cup filled with spermicide that is placed inside the vagina before intercourse. It needs to be left in for six hours after intercourse and can be left in for up to 24 hours.

Diaphragms come in different sizes and women choosing this method can be fitted for one in a doctor’s office. The doctor will also provide instructions on how to put it in by yourself. A small number of women are allergic to spermicide. And others are not comfortable with the idea of inserting the device. That’s OK — diaphragms are not for everyone. But remember, it is your body to touch (and you get to decide who else does).

When used as the sole method of birth control (that is, without a condom), the diaphragm has a high failure rate — 6 per cent — even if it’s used exactly as it should be. With typical use, it has up to a 20 per cent failure rate (which means that one in five women may become accidentally pregnant after a year).

But don’t despair: For a motivated gal, the diaphragm, when used in combination with condoms, is an excellent contraceptive.

For those who have Internet access, there is a new Canadian Web site that provides good information. Go to sexualityandu.ca and see what you think.

If you have any questions or topics you would like to have addressed send an e-mail to nunatsiaqsexed@hotmail.com or drop a note to the Nunatsiaq News office in Iqaluit.

Next week: Natural family planning methods.