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Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks - Diaphragms

Side Effects (see also Managing Any Problems)

Some users report the following:

  • Irritation in or around the vagina or penis

Other possible physical changes:

  • Vaginal lesions

Known Health Benefits

Known Health Risks

Help protect against:

  • Risks of pregnancy

May help protect against:

  • Certain STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease, trichomoniasis)
  • Cervical precancer and cancer

Common to uncommon:

  • Urinary tract infection

Uncommon:

  • Bacterial vaginosis
  • Candidiasis

Rare:

  • Frequent use of nonoxynol-9 may increase risk of HIV infection (see Question 3)

Extremely rare:

  • Toxic shock syndrome