Female Condom

The female condom is a lubricated pouch made of polyurethane that you insert in your vagina before having sex. It can also be inserted into the anus by women and men for anal sex. The female condom can help prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections or both. It is 79-85% effective for preventing pregnancy.

When used vaginally, one end of the condom covers the cervix and the other end covers the external genitals. It stops sperm from entering the woman’s body. When used for anal sex, the inner ring of the condom is inserted into the rectum and the outside ring rests on the anus.

The female condom can also be used like a male condom if you take the inner ring out and put the condom directly onto your penis.

Advantages:

• It protects against both STIs & pregnancy. 
• It can increase pleasure for some women because it may rub against the clitoris. Many men like the female condom because it fits loosely around their penis.
• Polyurethane transmits heat better than latex, which may also enhance pleasure.
• It can be used if you have an allergy to latex.
• The penis doesn’t need to be erect in order to use it.

Disadvantages:

• It can be messy, tear or slip out of place, and some women may have a hard time putting it in.
• You have to make sure the condom stays in place or the penis could slip out and enter the vagina or rectum outside the condom. (If your partner’s penis slips out of the condom and enters your vagina, you can take emergency contraception up to 5 days after having sex).
• The condom can also make funny noises during intercourse because it’s made of plastic (adding extra water-based lubricant can help reduce the noise).
• They are more expensive than most male condoms.

The female condom is available in drugstores. Some sexual health centres may carry them. One condom can only be used for one act of sex. Never use two condoms together i.e. a male and female condom together, because the friction can tear the condoms.