EUGENE–A diaphragm, like a condom, can effectively protect against some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). But unlike the condom, the power to use it resides with women.

"When men are unwilling to use condoms, the power imbalance puts women’s lives at risk. We need a method that women can use to protect themselves without their partner’s knowledge or consent," says University of Oregon researcher S. Marie Harvey.

Harvey is lead investigator in a three-year study to determine if women are willing to use the diaphragm, not only for contraception, but also to prevent STDs.

The research project, based at the UO Center for the Study of Women in Society, is funded through a $1 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Research will begin in January 2001.

Two studies–one based in the Portland area and the other in Los Angeles–will determine whether women are willing to use the diaphragm to protect themselves against unintended pregnancies, STDs and, potentially, even HIV infection. Ultimately, Harvey hopes that the findings will lay the groundwork for a study of the effectiveness of the diaphragm in the prevention of AIDS, and stimulate the development of similar barrier methods.

Diaphragms have gone out of style over the years, as women have come to rely on birth control pills to prevent pregnancies and on condoms to protect against STDs. And, Harvey says, the health care system, which has increasingly emphasized efficiency, is more likely to steer women toward the pill. It only takes a minute to write a prescription, compared to the more time-consuming task of fitting a woman for the diaphragm.

Harvey says it is time to take a second look at the diaphragm, as it offers women "dual protection" by preventing both pregnancies and some STDs. And, if it can eventually be proven to prevent against HIV infection, it might gain even greater popularity. She says there have been some efforts to develop new diaphragms that come in three basic sizes, making the custom fitting by a doctor unnecessary.

In the course of the project, Harvey, along with co-investigator Sheryl Thorburn Bird of the University of Oregon, will conduct a telephone survey of nearly 1,000 women in the Portland area who are either current or former diaphragm users, or who use other contraceptive methods.

They also will conduct a study among approximately 200 university women in the Los Angeles area who have never used the diaphragm and participate in high-risk activities. This study will involve a combination of focus groups, questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The participants will be given coupons for free diaphragms.

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