Female Condoms

Female condoms are sheaths or pouches made from a thin layer of polyurethane that is inserted inside a woman’s vagina. It has a ring at its open and closed end. Female condoms can trap pre-seminal fluid and sperm before, during, and after a man ejaculates. This can keep sperm from entering the vagina, preventing pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Used properly, female condoms can be effective 95% of the time.

Efficiency (How safe are they?)

Studies have shown in the United States, when female condoms are used properly, they can be effective up to 95% of the time. However couples who are new to using female condoms can see their effectiveness drop to 79% because they may not use them properly.
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Proper Usage

1) A women should practice inserting a female condom into her vagina when she is alone or have a partner willing to help and learn with her. This will help ensure it is inserted properly during the “heat” of the moment.

2) It is important to remember the female condom should be put on before any sexual contact occurs, because a man’s pre-seminal fluid can cause pregnancy and transmit STDs.

3) Carefully open the female condom’s package. Make sure while opening the package and inserting the condom that you do not tear or catch it with your nails, teeth, scissors, rings, etc.

4) If the closed end of the female condom does not have enough lubricant upon it, apply some now before insertion.

5) Get into a position to insert the female condom. Some positions women try include lying down, standing up with one leg on a chair, and squatting. More than one position may be tried until the right one is found.

6) Hold the female condom so the closed end is hanging down. Gently squeeze the closed end’s ring with your finger and thumb, and then insert it into the vagina like a tampon.

7) After insertion, gently place an index finger into the female condom and push the ring at the closed end in as deeply as it will go.

8) Be sure to check that the female condom is in straight and is not twisted.

9) The ring at the open end of the female condom should be about an inch outside of the vagina.

10) When sexual intercourse begins, gently guide the man’s penis into the female condom, making sure the penis is inside it. It can be easy to accidentally put the penis outside the female condom.

11) After sexual intercourse has been completed and the penis has been withdrawn from the female condom, twist the open end so it is closed, then gently pull it out. Dispose of the female condom by wrapping it in tissue or paper and throw it away. Do not re-use it. Do not flush it.
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Proper Storage

Unlike male condoms, female condoms have no special storage restrictions. Although do follow any that may be on the female condom’s packaging.
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Anal Sex

While the female condom can work effectively during anal sex, it can be difficult to use, uncomfortable, or even painful. It can also cause rectal bleeding; so it is better to use a male condom with a lot of lubricant instead. However the lubrication should not contain Nonoxynol 9 because it can damage the lining of the rectum.
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Oral Sex

Female condoms should not be used for oral sex. They do not fully cover the outside of the vagina. A better solution would be using a dental dam, plastic wrap, or a male condom cut up and opened flat.
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Buying Condoms

Female condoms can usually be bought at family planning centers, drug stores, and some supermarkets.

Some people find buying female condoms to be very embarrassing but they shouldn’t. Buying them shows responsibility and is something to be proud of.

For people who can not get over the embarrassment but want to have safe sex, they can buy female condoms online. The female condoms can be sent in discrete packaging, so even the mail carrier won’t know what is inside.

If you are too embarrassed to buy female condoms and would like to buy them online, click here.
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