Contraception

The female condom is a very thin latex cylinder fitted with rings a both ends that is installed in the vagina before intercourse.  One ring covers the cervix and the other covers the outside of the genital organs.  The condom is held in place by the rings at both ends.

The female and male condoms both accomplish the same task: keeping sperm out of a woman’s body.  This contraceptive method is effective 95% of the time if used correctly.  That means that out of 100 women who use a female condom, 5 of them will become pregnant.

Although the female and male condoms accomplish the same task, the female condom offers better protection against STI’s and provides better protection to the external genital organs.  However, it is not as practical and harder to use than the male condom, especially for teenagers.  It’s less popular, and can sometimes create strange noises during sex.

Precautions …

• Rub the outside of the condom to spread the lubricant inside evenly
• For enhanced effectiveness, use a spermicide
• Use a new condom every time you have sex!

You can get a female condom over the counter in any drug store for about 5$.  The female condom is more expensive than the male condom because it isn’t as popular it’s produced in smaller quantities.

• Open the wrapping while being extra careful not to rip the condom.
• Squeeze the inner ring (so it becomes long and narrow) and insert it with the membrane into the vagina
• Put your index finger inside the condom and push it in as far as it will go
• Make sure the condom isn’t twisted inside the vagina
• Keep the other ring on the outside of the vagina
• The penis should be guided in to make sure that it doesn’t slip outside the condom and into the vagina
• Use plenty of lubrication so that the condom stays in place during sex
• To remove the condom, twist the outer ring and gently pull it out
• Wrap it in its package or in tissue paper and throw it in the garbage (don’t flush it down the toilet!)
• Use only water-based lubrication (K-Y gel).  Petroleum-base lubrication like Vaseline may damage or rip the condom.
• Use a new condom for every sexual intercourse.

• Offers very good protection against STI’s because it prevents contact with the exterior genital parts (vulva and the base of the penis).
• Because it covers part of the vulva, it is more effective against certain STI’s (like Herpes or HPV, for more information see our section on STI’s) than the male condom.
• It can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex.
• It is made out of lubricated polyurethane and can be used by people allergic to latex.

• The exterior ring is a bit cumbersome.  Furthermore, it makes noise that can possibly bother the couple.
• It can be difficult to insert and requires that you know your body well.
• It is more expensive than the male condom