About Female Condoms

Overview

The female condom is a plastic pouch inserted into the vagina for purposes of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Female condoms first became available in the United States in 1988. This type of birth control is effective because it provides a barrier against bodily fluids including semen. The female condom has two rings. One fits over the cervix and the other stays on the outside of the woman's vagina where it partially covers the lips of the vulva.

Features and Uses

Female condoms are made of a thin, soft plastic material. They are tube-shaped with one end substantially wider than the other. They can be used for vaginal intercourse and other sexual activity including oral sex. When used for protection during oral activity, the female condom functions like a dental dam. You can open the end of the condom and cut it down the side to form a triangular piece that can be placed over the vagina. It can also be inserted into the anus for anal sexual activity.

Vaginal Insertion

You can place the female condom in the vagina up to eight hours prior to sex. Positioning the female condom inside the vagina may be awkward for new users, but with practice it should become a simple task. There are many positions in which the condom can be inserted including standing with one foot positioned on a chair, lying down or sitting with your legs wide apart. It may be helpful to use lubrication to ease insertion. Hold the end of the tube tightly while guiding the condom into the vagina. Push the end with the closed ring past your pubic bone and place it over the cervix. Approximately 1 inch of the condom will remain outside the vagina. After intercourse, slowly pull the condom from the vagina being careful not to spill the contents. Discard following one use.

Advantages

There are many benefits to using the female condom. Primarily, of course, it is effective in preventing pregnancy and halting the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. It has no side effects and can be used by those allergic to latex. You can buy female condoms at many drug stores and mass market retailers and it does not require a prescription. It can be used with artificial lubricants and spermicidal products. An erection is not necessary to maintain its proper position. Finally, the female condom has no effect on future fertility.

Disadvantages

The female condom is noticeable during sex and can be noisy. Insertion may be difficult and it is possible to position it incorrectly, thereby reducing its effectiveness. There is the possibility that the condom may break during sexual intercourse. The female condom is also more expensive than male condoms.

Effectiveness

According to Planned Parenthood, the female condom when always used correctly will result in five of 100 women becoming pregnant each year. When it is used incorrectly, 21 of 100 women will become pregnant every year. Effectiveness can be increased by using a spermicide in conjunction with the female condom.