Today, I’m all hopped up about the revival of a nearly extinct method of birth control. No, not abstinence. Apparently the diaphragm is making a comeback, with a new model being released onto the market for the first time in half a century. This is a great vegan birth control option—the diaphragm is made from silicone, not latex, which contains casein.
For any of us born before 1965 who aren’t sure wtf a diaphragm even is, it’s like a little plastic barrier a woman sticks into her vagina to block her cervix from wiggly, baby-creating intruders. Sort of like a sperm shield, if you will. Side note on birth control/military euphemisms: my first serious boyfriend and I used “weapons of mass destruction” (“weapons” for short) as a code word for condoms. I.e., “can you pick up some more weapons before you come over?” Because, you know, high school.
Anyway, I am actually sort of stoked about the diaphragm’s comeback. Why? For starters, it’s non-hormonal, and hormonal birth control—aside from not being vegan—messes with my bod. It’s also not as intrusive as some of the non-hormonal implants out there, such as the copper IUD.
This new diaphragm entering the market is called Caya, and she is a glossier, modernized version than the diaphragms of yore. She also comes with several upgrades: she is a one-size-fits-all model (previous diaphragms had to be fitted by a doctor, which for some is awkward and embarrassing), and comes with a tab to make removal easier. Phew.
In terms of accuracy, diaphragms do tend to be slightly less effective than an IUD, due to higher room for human error. If used properly, Caya will be 94 percent effective, the same percentage as the pill.
So, would you give Caya a go? What euphemisms do you use for birth control?
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