Jelly alone vs. diaphragm and jelly.

A 12-month analysis of 480 patients of whom 339 used jelly alone and 141 used the jelly with a diaphragm is presented. Many had previously u sed other methods of contraception with varying degrees of success. The simplicity of the jelly-alone method made it more acceptable to patients than other methods. In only 8 instances were there complaints of irritation from the jelly and a few more with the diaphragm-and-jelly me thod. There were a total of 26 unplanned pregnancies, 11 with the jelly -alone and 15 with the diaphragm-and-jelly method. The theoretical adva ntages of the diaphragm-and-jelly method are thought to have been nullif ied by the greater difficulties of use leading to irregular or nonuse. A reduction in estimated fertility of about 85% is thought to have been accomplished by each method.