DON’T PANIC 113
DIAPHRAGM
tions. The patch can also fall off without
You can also make your own dental
The Diaphragm is soft rubber device,
this being noticed thus ceasing to act
dam by vertically cutting open a con-
fitted into the vagina before intercourse
as a contraceptive. No protection
dom and spreading it flat, or by cutting
to cover the cervix. It must be used in
against STIs.
the fingers off a rubber glove and slitting
conjunction with spermicide which is a
open the little finger side, leaving the
substance that kills sperm. The cap need
NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING
thumb finger on the glove to be placed
not interfere at all with intercourse and
Also known as the rhythm method, now
in the vagina. Remember to check all
may protect against cervical cancer.
a widely discredited theory, it works
barrier methods, including condoms and
The Diaphragm itself can be slightly
on the principle that ovulation can be
dental dams, for holes or perforations
messy and will initially need to be fitted
predicted and intercourse avoided at
before use.
by a Doctor. It offers little or no protec
this time. How ever it can be up to 90%
tion against STIs however it is 97% effec-
effective if you have a highly regular
TOYS
tive when used properly.
cycle. No protection against STIs.
Sharing sex toys, for example vibrators,
CONTRACEPTIVE INJECTION
DENTAL DAM
toys before using them on your partner
Known as ‘the jag’ in Scotland this form
A dental dam is a thin latex sheet used
or your self, especially if they have come
of contraception is injected into the
to limit transmission of bodily fluids dur-
into contact with vaginal fluid, sperm, or
muscle (usually the arm). The Injec-
ing oral sex or mutual masturbation. In
menstrual blood. Barrier methods such
tion contains hormones which, like the
cunnilingus or analingus, a dental dam
as condoms and dental dams can also
pill, prevent a woman from becom-
covers the vulva or anus to allow oral
be used on sex toys.
ing pregnant. In Britain there are two
stimulation of these areas. In female-
types the first is Depo-Provera (medrox
female genital contact, also known as
yprogesterone), which is by far the more
tribadism, the use of a dam as a barrier
SEXUAL TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
commonly-used. It protects you almost
inhibits the transmission of genital fluids
Trust us, you don’t want these! STIs are
fully against pregnancy for 12 weeks. The
and thereby offers protection from STIs.
prevalent amongst sexually active
other is Noristerat (norethisterone) which
During tribadism with another body part,
young people. The best way to avoid
provides contraceptive protection for
a dental dam can be used as a barrier
getting one (or more!) is to use a barrier
eight weeks. The Injections are about
to decrease the risk of transmission, es-
contraception. Condoms are the most
99% effective. No protection against STIs.
pecially if a woman’s partner has open
common and effective, but using more
cuts or sores on the applicable body
than one form of contraception is even
CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH
part, for instance leg or stomach, or if
better.
A relatively new form of contraception
the woman has vaginal cuts or sores.
is always a bad idea. Be sure to clean
See www.brook.org.uk for more infor-
it often described as the skin version of the pill. It comes in the form of a self
Lubricant can be used between the
mation, support and advice on sexual
adhesive patch. The patches last about
stimulated area and the dam to create
health.
a week at which point it will need to be
a higher level of sensation. When used
replaced with a new one. Because it is
correctly and consistently, dams de-
so new there is not much information as
crease the risk of HIV and oral-to-genital
to what the potential side effects are.
or genital-to-genital herpes transmission,
About 2% women’s skin reacts badly to
as well as genital warts and a number of
the patch causing them to suffer irrita-
other STIs.