Not significantly, according to the result of a clinical trial that involved 5,045 women in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Used with a spermicide cream or jelly, the diaphragm is a shallow, dome shaped cup with a flexible rim that fits securely in the vagina to cover the cervix - they keep the sperm from joining the egg - thus preventing fertilization and pregnancy.

Said lead investigator, Nancy Padian, PhD, director of UCSF's Women's Global Health Imperative:

"In the context of a comprehensive HIV prevention package provided to all participants, the trial found no additional protective benefit against HIV infection from adding the diaphragm plus Lubricant in the intervention arm.

These results do not support the addition of the diaphragm to current HIV prevention strategies. Condoms remain the only proven barrier method for HIV prevention."

Condom remains the only proven barrier method for HIV prevention. That, and abstinence, might I add! ;-)

The said study was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Results are to be published online in The Lancet.

Find more details from the full report.

[Photo Credit: FWHC]