Female Condoms

What are female condoms?
A female condom is a thin, loose-fitting covering made of polyurethane plastic that forms a pouch lining the vagina. It has two flexible rings. The inner ring at the closed end of the condom eases insertion into the vagina, covering the cervix and holding the condom in place. The outer ring remains outside the vagina and covers the outer lips of the vagina. The female condom is coated on the inside with a lubricant; additional lubricant for the outside is provided in a small tube. This lubricant is not spermicidal.

How do they work?
Female condoms prevent pregnancy by blocking the passage of sperm to the egg.

Are they effective?
Female condoms are effective if used consistently and correctly every time you have sexual intercourse. Effectiveness rates are expressed in terms of how many women experience pregnancies during their first year of using the method. Perfect use reflects correct and consistent use, according to specified instructions, with every sex act. Typical use reflects the fact that most couples do not use their contraceptive methods correctly or consistently with every sex act; this rate, therefore, is considered more accurate than perfect use.
With perfect use: five women out of 100 will become pregnant.
With typical use: 21 women out of 100 will become pregnant.

How do I use a female condom?
As with any other method, you should talk to your health care provider or family planning counselor at a local clinic or hospital before using female condoms as a contraceptive method. The following instructions are provided to help you decide whether female condoms may be right for you.
 

Female condom instructions:
Use a new female condom every time you have sexual intercourse. Make sure the condom is in place before your partner's penis enters your vagina.
Do not use a male condom with a female condom; the two may stick together and increase the chance that the female condom will dislodge or that the male condom will come off.
You can insert the female condom for immediate protection just before sexual intercourse or as long as eight hours ahead of time. Wash your hands carefully with soap and water before inserting, checking, or removing the female condom.

How to insert the female condom:
Insert the inner ring and pouch inside of your vaginal opening. With your index finger, push the inner ring with the pouch way up into your vagina, so that the inner ring is up past your pubic bone. You can feel your pubic bone by curving your finger towards your front when it is a couple of inches inside of your vagina. This may take some time, because the female condom is slippery because of the lubrication. Just go slow and be patient. Make sure the female condom is not twisted at all. The outside ring of the female condom should lie against the outer lips of your vagina. About one inch of it should be outside of your body.
You need to guide the male's penis into the female condom so that it doesn't enter the vagina during sex. Once the penis enters your vagina, the vagina will expand and the "slack" will decrease.
After intercourse, the male can stay in the woman, rather than withdrawing immediately.

How to remove the female condom:
To remove the female condom after intercourse, squeeze and twist the outer ring gently to keep the sperm inside the pouch. Pull the female condom out gently and throw it away in a waste container. Don't flush it. And don't reuse it!

• Offer protection against HIV Infection and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Are a woman-controlled method
• Are available without a prescription
• Are stronger than latex male condoms
• Can be used with oil-based lubricants
• Are less likely to constrict the penis and decrease sensation for the man than latex male condoms
• Do not interrupt sexual activity since they can be inserted ahead of time
• Are visible (part of the condom hangs outside of the vagina)
• Can make a noise during sexual intercourse
• May be expensive or limited in their availability
• May be difficult to insert