Some young women, particularly those who are very health conscious, like the idea of the diaphragm, with 1.6% of new patients and 2.9% of old patients choosing it at the Birmingham Brook Advisory Centre in 1989 to 1990. It does have the advantage of providing some anti-viral effect by means of the spermicide, but as there is not a complete physical barrier to sperm, it does not offer such effective protection to the cervix or against infection. In addition, the failure rate makes it a risky method for those who need the most effective protection against pregnancy, and the lifestyle of many young people does not make the use of a cap very easy. However, the highly motivated couple may be happy to use the diaphragm and the sheath together, thus providing a high degree of protection against both pregnancy and infection.

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