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Use, Advantages and Effectiveness of Female Condoms

A female condom is a flexible pouch inserted into the vagina or anus before sex. Their role is to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. During intercourse, these thin silicone-coated polyurethane or nitrile sheaths collect ejaculated semen. Learn more on the advantages of Female condoms as you read along.

The female condom differs in appearance from the male condom. Female condoms are pouches with a soft, flexible ring on each end. The ring on the closed end is inserted into the vagina and holds the condom in place. The open-ended ring remains outside of the vagina during sex.

When used for anal intercourse, the condom is inserted into the anus instead of the vagina. Female condoms have yet to receive official approval for use in anal intercourse, however.

While a female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse, users should only use the condom once. Users should remove female condoms immediately following sexual intercourse.

For a female condom to be effective in preventing pregnancy, it must be used correctly. Female condoms are 95 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when used correctly, with a 5 percent failure rate.

When female condoms are not always used correctly, their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy drops to 79 percent, with a 21 percent failure rate.

Although female condoms offer some protection from sexually transmitted infection, more extensive research is needed in this area.Male and female condoms should not be used at the same time due to the risk of breakage or tearing.

Fast facts on female condoms

Here are some key points about female condoms. More detail and supporting information can be found in the main article.

Each year, around 21 in every 100 women who use female condoms become pregnant
If used correctly, however, female condoms have a failure rate of 5 percent
Female condoms do not usually contain latex
Female condoms protect a wider area of the body than male condoms
Female condoms are not as effective at preventing pregnancy than male condoms
Each female condom can only be used once
Female condoms can usually be purchased over the counter at pharmacies
Users do not need to have an office visit with a healthcare provider before using female condoms.

Advantages and disadvantages of female condom use

As with any form of birth control, female condoms have both advantages and disadvantages to their use.

Advantages of female condom use:

Safe, simple and convenient
Female-controlled
Can be used during menstrual periods
Can be used with spermicide
Can be inserted up to 8 hours in advance or inserted as part of sexual foreplay
Can be used in the presence of a latex allergy
Can be used with oil-, silicone-, and water-based lubricants
Will not affect a woman’s hormones
Provides additional protection of the labia, perineum, and base of the penis from the human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes
External ring may enhance clitoral stimulation in some women
Does not require a male erection to keep the condom in place.

Birth control methods

Condoms are just one form of contraception available to females.

Other forms include the diaphragm, the contraceptive pill and implants.

Potential disadvantages of female condom use:

Vaginal, vulvar, anal, or penile irritation
Allergic reaction
Vaginal discomfort
May slip into the vagina or anus during intercourse
Not officially approved for anal intercourse
Sexual sensation reduction and possible noise with sex
Less discreet than other forms of contraception
Has a lower efficacy rate than other non-barrier methods
Each female condom can only be used once
More expensive than male condoms
More research is needed on exact performance in protecting against sexually transmitted diseases
Requires learning how to use properly.

Buying female condoms

Female condoms can be purchased over the counter and online. Female condoms typically range in price between $2-4 per condom.

Instructions and use of female condoms

For instructions on use and insertion, see the package insert of the purchased female condom.

If you have any questions about using of female condoms and if it is the right birth control choice for you, call our office (760) 779-5511 or visit Fleur Women’s Health.