One of the greatest obstacles to the prescription of contraceptives by physicians has been the belief that the diaphragm with a spermicidal jelly or cream is the only reliable method which the patient herself can employ. With this in mind, the physician recalls also the time-consuming features of fitting a diaphragm and instructing the patient in its use and as often as not side-steps the whole issue by omitting any form of contraception from his armamentarium. This contraceptive method was developed to meet some of the disadvantages of the sheath, especially the frequent unwillingness of the man to use it. It had the further advantage of putting the control of contraception in the hands of the woman, which was logical, as she was more available for education and more aware of the necessity; since she is the greater sufferer from an unwanted pregnancy, it was supposed that she would be