Diaphragm

Whether alcohol affects your birth control really depends on what method you’re using. If you rely on birth control that requires you to use it before you have sex, like condoms or a diaphragm, then alcohol may make it harder for you to use your method correctly or to remember to use it at all. Here’s more detail about how alcohol can affect sex and birth control.

The diaphragm is a pretty effective method. For those who use it perfectly every single time they have sex, it’s around 84% effective. For the typical user (and by typical, we mean the way most end up using it), effectiveness is closer to 83%.

In other words:

For people who use the diaphragm exactly as directed for a year, about 16 in 100 will get pregnant when they don’t want to during the first year they use the diaphragm.

For people who use the diaphragm as people typically use it, about 17 in 100 will get pregnant when they don’t want to during the first year they use the diaphragm.

Some people do get urinary tract infections (UTIs) from using the diaphragm. It might help if you pee before inserting the diaphragm and after you have sex. You might also check with your health care provider to make sure your diaphragm fits correctly (depending on the brand there are a few sizes).

For the diaphragm to be effective, you need to leave it in for 6 hours after you have sex. It’s safe to leave your diaphragm in for up to 24 hours.