Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Cook, L.
Right arrow Articles by Grimes, D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Cook, L.
Right arrow Articles by Grimes, D.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Human Reproduction, Vol. 17, No. 4, 867-869, April 2002
© 2002 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

COCHRANE REVIEWS

The diaphragm with and without spermicide for contraception: a Cochrane review

L. Cook1,3, K. Nanda2 and D. Grimes2

1 Crown Public Health, 76 Chester St East, P.O.Box 1475, Christchurch, New Zealand and 2 Family Health International, P.O.Box 13950, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA 27709

Abstract

This paper is based on a Cochrane review published in The Cochrane Library, issue 1, 2002 (see www.CochraneLibrary.net for information) with permission from The Cochrane Collaboration and Update Software. Cochrane reviews are regularly updated as new evidence emerges and in response to comments and criticisms, and The Cochrane Library should be consulted for the most recent version of the review.

BACKGROUND: The diaphragm is usually used with a spermicide. However, some practitioners have suggested that spermicides offer no additional contraceptive protection and have advocated alternative guidelines for the use of diaphragms. The objective of this review was to compare the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of the diaphragm with and without spermicide. METHODS AND RESULTS: We searched Medline, Embase, Popline, CINAHL, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and reference lists of relevant articles. In addition, we contacted experts in the field to identify unpublished studies. Randomized controlled trials comparing women of reproductive age using the diaphragm with and without spermicide as the sole contraceptive method that reported clinical outcomes were selected. Two reviewers independently extracted data on outcomes and trial characteristics and any discrepancies were resolved by consensus or by consultation with the third reviewer. The results of the one identified study are presented descriptively. We identified only one study. No significant difference was found in the pregnancy rates (with typical use or consistent use) or discontinuation rates between the diaphragm-with-spermicide and diaphragm-without-spermicide groups. There was a trend towards higher pregnancy rates in the diaphragm-without-spermicide group. However, this study failed to recruit the planned number of participants and was consequently underpowered. CONCLUSIONS: As only one underpowered study was identified, we cannot distinguish between the contraceptive effectiveness of the diaphragm with and without spermicide. We cannot draw any conclusion at this point; further research is needed.

Key words: contraception/Cochrane review/diaphragm/spermicide

Notes

3 To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: lynley.cook{at}xtra.co.nz


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.