Also known to rednecks as bottle caps. Sorry for being nasty...

Geez I think I've used just about every BC out there.. Anyway- I used this along with condoms most of the time (paranoid). I found it to be uncomfortable after having it in for longer than 3 hrs. I'd start cramping, but had to deal with it till it was safe to take it out. I had to have mine fit 2-3 times which wasn't nec bad, since I wanted it to work- but if you are not committed to going to the gyno for the fittings it will be less effective. I also found it to be messy- not really upon insertion, but removing it hours later sure was! Sometimes insertion was a pain, and it would get messy, that rubber gets slick and *pop* your fingers and everything else are coated with jelly.

Have never used this but I know if a woman loses a small bit of weight, it ends up not fitting correctly, therefore not being a good method. If a woman's weight fluctuates a lot, not a good method.

I am not a fan of hormonal birth control methods. Thus, the diaphragm. It is a good alternative, free of side effects. Like other barrier methods, it has to be placed in before intercourse, but can be worn up to 8 hours before, and suggested to be kept in for 6 hours after. It was great for me for the last two years, since it kept my body free of unnecessary hormones that caused yucky side effects (nausea, headaches, random bleeding, weight gain, moodiness, acne). I also rate the diaphragm way above condoms because once its in, neither partner should feel it. It stays so high up inside, against the cervix, that only the long and proud man can reach it - even then it is not a bother to either partner. BUT, i admit that i'm not totally satisfied, because it does not allow spontanaity, it requires that the woman insert it before getting down and dirty (not a big deal, but can interfere with the pleasure of initial entry), it does have an average of 16% failure rate with typical use. In addition to the worry over becoming pregnant (i already have two beautiful children) I am tired of feeling like it's my responsibility to get up out of bed (assuming we're even at home) every time we're in the mood, to go prepare myself. It takes something out of the experience for me.

Same as IUDs.

If this is messy, its because you aren't using it right! You only put 1 tsp of spermicide in the diaphgragm! No more than that or you are not using it correctly. Also, fold it up for insertion (duh) and it prevents the stuff from going all over in your vagina and causing distasteful oral sex. You can also use it for a menstrual cup! yipppeee! perfect for those days you are spotting and can't use a tampon but hate pantiliners. I loved the diaphgragm. The pill caused horrid side effects and this was perfect. If the person uses it each time and knows what htey are doing it has a low failure rate. Unfortunately, it gets its bad rap from people only using it about half the time!!! This is why the success rate of its use is higher for people who have used it for over a year versus the first year of use. I never ever got pregnant on this (remember you are only fertile two days a month, but since sperm can live up to 3 days in the vagina, you could get pregnant for up to 5 days a month). My partner can't feel it, can't see it. It offers slight protection against PID and STD's. You can put it in before going out if you are single and know you will be protected that night. If you hardly ever have sex its awsome too! More doctors use the diaphgragm than any other method. I think that sais a lot! It takes a certain type of person....You can't feel it either.

messy yucky, some people like them in conjunction with condoms though.

These are only about 65% effective, which essentially means you have a one-in-three chance of getting pregnant with this method. Those kinds of chances are better suited for the racetrack.

I'm not going to get into the details, but I have a friend who uses a cervical cap and the stories she has told me about trying to get that thing out are not fit for this site. But if it works for others, more power to you.