Female Condom
What Is It?The female condom is a large polyurethane sheath that resembles a large condom. It is a barrier method of contraception that works by lining the inside of the vagina, preventing semen from entering the uterus. |  |
How To Use
- Open the female condom package very carefully, by tearing the notch at the top right corner of the package.
- Make sure not to use scissors or a knife when doing this.
- The outer ring is used to cover the area surrounding the outside of the vagina. The inner ring (closed end) is helpful in holding the sheath in the appropriate place during the act of intercourse.
- While holding the inner ring of the female condom (at the closed end), squeeze the inner ring with the thumb and second or middle finger so it becomes long and narrow.
- Find a position that is comfortable for insertion of the female condom, such as lifting one leg, sitting, squatting or lying down.
- Gently insert the inner ring into the vagina, so you feel the inner ring move into place. Put your index finger on the side of the condom, and push the inner ring up as far as it will go. Make sure the sheath is not twisted. The outer ring should remain on the out side of the vagina.
- The female condom is now in place and ready for use with your partner. When ready, guide your partners penis into the condoms opening gently with one hand to make sure it is entering correctly. After intercourse is over, you can remove the female condom by twisting the outer ring and gently pulling the condom out. Throw the condom in the trash by wrapping it in the original wrapper or a tissue.
- Do not flush down the toilet.
- To view an illustration of how to insert the female condom, click here.
- To download a movie showing how to insert the female condom, click here.
Helpful Hints
- Practice inserting the condom a few times without having sex.
- The first few times that you use the female condom you should guide your partner's penis into the vagina.
- Don't worry if the condom moves around during intercourse.
- If the female condom starts to slip up into the vagina during intercourse, make sure you stop and add some lubrication to either the penis or the inside of the female condom. If the outer ring slips up into the vagina, though, you MUST stop and insert a NEW female condom, and add extra lubricant.
Advantages
- The female condom can be inserted up to eight hours before intercourse, which means that inserting it doesn't have to interrupt foreplay!
- It can prevent pregnancy and several of the sexually transmitted diseases.
- You do not need to have a prescription to get one.
Disadvantages
- They can interrupt spontaneity.
- They are not as effective as the male condom.
- Just like the male condom, they can break and they are not 100% foolproof.
- They can be uncomfortable at first.
- Learning to insert them can be difficult.
Cost
They cost about $2.50 each.
Effectiveness
The failure rate of the female condom is 5% of the time with perfect use and 21% of the time with typical use.
Questions
- What should I do if my partner's penis starts to enter
underneath of the female condom?
- STOP!! If your partner begins to insert his penis to the side of or underneath the female condom you should stop immediately and replace the condom with a new one.
- Is it better to use both a male and female condom at the same
time?
- Absolutely not! Using these two methods at the same time can cause them to move out of place during intercourse. Also, the friction created between the two condoms during intercourse can cause them to break.