Diaphram difficulties

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Diaphram difficulties
11
Mon, 07-24-2006 - 11:37pm

Hello! I recently got a diaphram because I didn't like the effects of hormonal BC. I have practiced inserting and removing it and recently began using it for real.

I have a few concenrs that I am hoping some more "seasoned" users can help me with. Each time I have some difficulty putting it in and a LOT of difficulty getting it out (I can only do both lying down). Also, every time getting it out was kinda painful and worrysome... like "is it stuck? I can't get it!" When it is in, I cannot feel it and I am a bit nervouse about whether it is in correctly. Also, I noticed a wierd light brown very liquidy substance in the diaphram each time I took it out. The liquid continued to flow out of me for the rest of the day... and it had a faint unpleasant odor (yuck! This never happens to me!) it's not like spotting or discharge like from a yeast infection (from what I can remember). It's very liquidy... almost the consistency of the stuff that is created when I'm aroused... no matter what it is, I don't like it.

I've searched the message boards and can't find anything about this. Is this normal? Should I contact my doctor? Could I be allergic? I have never had an allregic reaction to latext condoms.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.
-LK

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 07-25-2006 - 1:41am

Hi londonkat, welcome!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Tue, 07-25-2006 - 3:59pm

Hi Jill. Thank you soooo much for your thorough response! I really appreciate you taking the time to address all of my concerns.

The type of diaphragm I have is the "Ortho All-Flex" the pamphlet that came with it says its an arching spring, dry natural rubber diaphragm. I am still having difficulty getting it in ...and taking it out is WAY worse. I seem to have a very small vaginal canal. It is usually uncomfortable to insert more than one finger. I have also thought that maybe the angle of my canal is different than most women, it seems to angle toward the front of my body as opposed toward the back (like in anatomical illustrations). Is that possible? I could be wrong... it just seems that I am having a strange problem. Also, I can't feel the opening of my cervix like the instructions say you should feel...

Also, about the fluid. I have noticed that it keeps flowing out of me for more than 24 hours later... I have to change my pantiliner b/c there is so much. Some is light brown and some is light red (blood?). Is that normal? I noticed that the odor was the same faint odor as the diaphragm, and the odor goes away after a few hours. Is the D making me bleed? Why is there so much blood if I am in mid-cycle?

Needless to say, I am extremely frustrated and part of me feels like giving up already. I don't want to, but maybe my anatomy is such that I can't wear a diaphragm?

One last question: If I do stay with the D, what is the best spermicide to get and where is a good place to get it?

Thank you again. I look forward to reading your further insights.
-LK

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Tue, 07-25-2006 - 7:00pm

Hi again londonkat,


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2002
Tue, 07-25-2006 - 11:13pm

Hi Jill,


I have been reading this thread, and was wondering if you know of any sites or studies that have determined how effective natural spermicides are?

 


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 07-26-2006 - 1:01am

Hi Janet,


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Wed, 07-26-2006 - 6:59pm

Hi again, Jill. I am going to see my GYN's office tomorrow. The light brown fluid I noted the first day changed to light red on Monday... it got progressively brighter and is still flowing out of me... The last day my beau and I had sex (and the last day I used the D... with a condom every time, by the way...) was Monday morning. I never mentioned that this past weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon) was the first time my boyfriend and I had intercourse... and therefore the first time I've actually put the D to use. I also didn't mention the fact that he is a very well-endowed man... especially his girth. I didn't find it painful, but we had some difficulty "getting it in" in some positions (another reason I think my canal is small). I thought maybe I irritated my canal and/or cervix messing with the D, and then his size may have made the irritation worse?

By the way, I haven't been on hormonal BC for years... b/c I have PCOS and the hormonal ones made me feel so fat, lazy, and reduced my sex-drive.

I was bleeding all day Monday, Tuesday, and today... and it's getting to be more (and I'm not due for my period for another week now). I have no pain, no itching, and no cramps. I discussed this all with my boyfriend last night and we both decided that I should call my GYN this AM. They couldn't see me until tomorrow AM, so that's when we're going (my sweet and wonderful boyfriend is coming with me!).

Of course, I have been worried b/c nothing like this has happened to me before. I feel funny pouring all of this out onto a message board, but you've been so kind and helpful thus far, I was hoping you might have some more insight.

Thank you again,
LK

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Wed, 07-26-2006 - 9:10pm

Hi again,


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-11-2006
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 12:17am

Hi Jill,

I wanted to tell you the latest...

My GYN said the blood was coming from my uterus... there was no sign of abrasions from intercourse or from the D. She thought that my period was just beginning early. Turns out that I had light bleeding for a week and then my period started on time with the usual major cramps, etc (all PCOS-related problems)...

Today I got a call from my GYN's office. I have a "group B strep" infection. They said it was very common. The bacteria is similar to that found in the rectum (gross). I have started on antibiotics. I was very surprised b/c I had no signs of infection. I asked if the infection could have been caused by sex or the D, they said no. Do you know anything about this?

Anyway, these problems have brought forth a lot of my ongoing problems with PCOS. I have been considering going back on hormonal BC (after being off for more than 5 years). I need to do some research and maybe post on the PCOS board...

I sure am a case study.... Thank you for being so supportive.
Take care,
LK

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
Fri, 08-04-2006 - 12:56am

Hi londonkat, welcome back!


      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-06-2006
Wed, 09-06-2006 - 10:29am

Jill-
Are the AV/LJ or Femprotect as effective as nonoxynol-9? I just switched from The Pill to diaphragm, in part because I want to live a more natural, organic, healthy life. If the AV/LJ or Femprotect options are more natural and as effective, might be worth a look for me.

Thanks,
MR

Pages