Birth Control

The Female Condom

The female condom is a thin polyurethane sheath with a soft ring at each end. One ring, covered with polyurethane, fits over the cervix, acting as an anchor. The larger, open ring stays outside the vagina, covering part of the perineum and labia during intercourse.
 
Presently there is only one female condom available, called FC Female Condom in the U.S. and Femidom in other countries. It is available without a prescription as an over-the-counter barrier contraceptive that also protects against STIs. Because the condom is not made of latex, it will not deteriorate when used with oil-based lubricants. It can be inserted up to eight hours before intercourse but should be removed immediately after. The female condom is prelubricated but does not contain spermicide. It does not require precise placement over the cervix. Male and female condoms should not be used at the same time. Like the male condom, the female condom is intended for onetime use.

Effectiveness

STI Protection

Advantages

• Does not require advance planning, clinic visits, or a prescription
  
  
• Provides good protection against STIs, including HIV
  
  
• By preventing STIs, female condoms protect fertility
  
  
• You don’t have to rely on a man to use a condom
  
  
• Provides broader coverage than the male condom, covering the labia, the perineal region, and the base of the penis
  
  
• Some women say the outer ring stimulates the clitoris and makes intercourse more enjoyable
  
  
• May help you know your body better
  
  
• No physical side effects
  
  
• Does not affect menstrual cycles

Disadvantages

• Not as effective in preventing pregnancy as hormonal methods or male condom
  
  
• Expensive and not readily available
  
  
• May disrupt spontaneity
  
  
• Can be quite noisy, if there is not enough lubrication
  
  
• Can be difficult to use at first
  
  
• Some women find the outer ring causes discomfort

How to Use

1. Carefully open the packet.
   
   
2. Find the inner (smaller) ring, which is at the closed end of the condom.
   
   
3. Squeeze the inner ring together.
    
   
4. Put the inner ring in your vagina.
   
   
5. Push the inner ring up into your vagina with your finger. The outer ring stays outside the vagina.
   
   
6. When your partner’s penis is hard, you will need to guide the penis through the outer ring, to make sure it is not pushed aside.
   
   
7. After sex, remove the female condom (if you are lying down, do this before you stand up). Squeeze and twist the outer ring to keep the man’s sperm inside the pouch. Pull, and the condom should come out easily.
   
   
8. Wrap the condom in tissue and dispose of it. Do not flush it down the toilet.

If you find that the ring is being pulled into your vagina during intercourse, you need to add extra lubrication inside the condom. You can use any kind of lubricant with the female condom. A lubricant containing a spermicide provides the most effective protection against pregnancy, but it may not be the best protection against STIs.

Health Concerns

Where to Get Female Condoms

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do female condoms come in different sizes; do they have to be fitted?
  No, the female condom does not need to be fitted. It comes in one size that is designed to fit most women.
  
  
• Can female condoms be used with male condoms?
  No, female condoms should not be used at the same time as male condoms, because the added friction between the two condoms could cause them to tear.
  
  
• Are female condoms more effective than male condoms?
  Female condoms have similar efficacy to male condoms and other barrier methods.
   
  
• Can spermicides or lubricants be used with female condoms?
  Yes, it is perfectly safe and effective to use spermicides or lubricants with female condoms.
  
  

Excerpted from Our Bodies, Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era, Copyright © 2005, Boston Women's Health Book Collective.