Hormone Free Birth Control - The Fem Cap!
Posted on June 10 2026
When it comes to contraception, most of us are familiar with the pill, IUDs and implants, but did you know that diaphragms were once a popular non-hormonal option for women in New Zealand? Although they have not been readily available here since 2010, many women valued them as a way to manage their fertility without altering their natural hormones.
As more people become interested in understanding their bodies and exploring natural health choices, conversations around the range of contraceptive options available are becoming increasingly important. Having access to information helps us make informed decisions about what works best for our individual health and lifestyle.
This week, naturopath and medical herbalist Lisa Fitzgibbon from Oomph Health, now based on Waiheke Island, shares her thoughts on the disappearance of diaphragms and why she believes women should have access to a wider range of contraceptive choices such as The Fem Cap - hormone free birth control.
From Lisa ....
The 'other' withdrawal method of contraception
In New Zealand, diaphragms and spermicide are not recommended by the powers-that-be.☝️
Because of this they have not been available in this country since 2010. 1
The Ministry of Health says that the reasons for this ‘ban’ are (and I’m paraphrasing here):
Females are feeble creatures who can’t protect themselves.
They therefore ideally require modern, idiot-proof contraception be ‘installed’ in their body (as in LARCs; Long-Acting Reversible Contraception such as IUDs or implants). This way they don’t have to worry-their-pretty-little-heads about it. They can simply ‘fit and forget’ and just ‘lie back and think of England’… 😒
Diaphragms and spermicide aren’t accessible from pharmacies or health clinics.
This isn’t actually a reason for the ban — rather it’s the result of it! That’s what happens when they’re not prescribed anymore. 🤦🏼♀️
This strategic obsolescence is a crying shame!
This female barrier contraception was a valuable device — a real gem — as when used properly it gave us control over our sex-lives without jeopardising our health, our fertility, or our lifestyle, in the process.
FEMALE BARRIER CONTRACEPTION IS NOT A NEW THING.
Welcome to the pleasure dome!
Over the years, I’ve been saying to my younger (heterosexual) female clients who come to see me with hormonal or fertility concerns, what a ‘kick in the balls’ it is that female barrier contraception is no longer available in New Zealand.
Sadly, what I’ve found is that anyone who is younger than a (mid-to-late) Millennial hasn’t even heard of these medical devices! 😳
So, I explain to them what they are:
In the 90s and the 00s, it was dome shaped and made of latex (as above). You would smear it in spermicide, and insert it (like a menstrual cup) high up into your vagina to stop sperm from getting into your cervix — and from ultimately getting to your eggs. Neither you or your partner could feel it during sex — just each other! You would leave this device in place for a set number of hours before retrieving it (which ironically required you to experiment with more ‘positions’ than the actual sex did…🤸🏼🧘🏼♀️🏋️♂️) And, because you couldn’t feel it when it was in place, just remembering to remove it was problematic (as back then we didn’t have fancy-pants smartphones to alert us.) Once you had managed to retrieve it you would simply wash it with a mild soap, dry it thoroughly, and return it to its container — ready and waiting for your next primal urge to strike!
I further explain:
Diaphragms were ideal for use when you were in a committed, and/or long-term relationship with someone. Because while these devices didn’t protect you from contracting STIs, they did save you from having to continuously be on birth control when you and your man were no longer, well… ‘crazy’ in love, and you were now in a position to ‘contain’ yourself.
In an evolving, loving relationship, diaphragms were much better than using condoms as ‘rubbers’ reduce natural lubrication (leading to friction), they reduce sensation, and they increase fumbling! Condoms can also cause allergic reactions to their latex or spermicides.
The diaphragm — this ‘hidden’ gem — really was ‘next level’ in many ways. Having a diaphragm made you feel powerful and in control because it was your idea to initiate sex. So, instead of greeting your man at the door with freshly applied lippy — as women were encouraged to do back-in-the-day — you could just greet him with a sly smile! 😉
These ‘newer’ generations all agree that this device sounds like a splendid way to protect yourself from not only getting pregnant, but from having to be perpetually ‘jacked-up’ on synthetic hormones.
So, I’ve finally made a big decision — no more reminiscing☝️
I would not have these forms of birth-control consigned to the pages of New Zealand history.2 As a female, a former ‘user’, and a holistic health practitioner (in her 20th year of practice), I’m making a ‘booty’ call on this — for us Kiwi Chicks! 👊
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE AND GET IN TOUCH WITH LISA HERE.