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NCERT Exemplar · Q13

Q.Diaphragms are contraceptive devices used by the females. Choose the correct option from the statements given below:

(i) They are introduced into the uterus
(ii) They are placed to cover the cervical region
(iii) They act as physical barriers for sperm entry
(iv) They act as spermicidal agents
(a) i and ii
(b) i and iii
(c) ii and iii
(d) iii and iv
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Diaphragms are barrier contraceptives placed over the cervix to physically block sperm entry — they are not inserted into the uterus and do not act as spermicides on their own.

Diaphragms belong to the category of barrier methods of contraception. The core idea behind any barrier method is simple: create a physical wall that prevents sperm from meeting the egg. For females, these devices are designed to be placed inside the vagina, but their exact position and function are often confused.

Let’s look at what the NCERT textbook says. A diaphragm is a soft, dome-shaped rubber or silicone cup that a woman inserts into her vagina before intercourse. Crucially, it is not pushed deep into the uterus. The uterus is a muscular organ above the vagina, and inserting a device into it would be both unnecessary and unsafe. Instead, the diaphragm is positioned to cover the cervix — the narrow, neck-like opening of the uterus that projects into the upper vagina. By covering the cervix, the diaphragm acts as a physical barrier, stopping sperm from swimming through the cervical canal into the uterus.

Now, consider the four statements:

  • (i) They are introduced into the uterus — This is incorrect. The diaphragm stays in the vagina, covering the cervix, not inside the uterus itself.
  • (ii) They are placed to cover the cervical region — This is correct. That is exactly how a diaphragm works.
  • (iii) They act as physical barriers for sperm entry — This is correct. The diaphragm blocks the path of sperm. …

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