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Factsheet

Female Condom, Women & HIV

Date 26 December 2000

The Female Condom is available in many countries around the world. The female condom has been widely studied and results show that:

It is effective as a contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy
It is an effective barrier to sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
50-70% of women and their partners like using the Female Condom

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Unlike regular condoms, the Female Condom is made of polyurethane not latex. The Female Condom conducts heat, so sex can feel more sensitive. The Female Condom is an alternative to the male condom as a barrier method for safer sex and contraception. Women have said they want increased access to safe and effective means of contraception as well as increased options for preventing STIs, including HIV. For women living with HIV, the Female Condom provides another choice for both safer sex and contraception and best of all - it's a choice that's yours. Each Female Condom can be used only once.

FOR WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV, THE FEMALE CONDOM OFFERS POSSIBILITIES WORTH CONSIDERING:

REDUCES ANXIETY

Some HIV positive women say they worry about infecting their partner and this anxiety inhibits their enjoyment of sex and/or diminishes their desire to have sex. The Female Condom is an effective barrier to STIs, including HIV. Use of the Female Condom can enable women living with HIV to relax during sex in the knowledge they are using a barrier which gives both them and their partner the protection they want.

NON-HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVE

Two HIV antiviral protease inhibitors, nelfinavir and ritonavir, interact with the oral contraceptive pill and make it less effective. HIV positive women who use these antiviral treatments and are on the pill may need to consider other forms of contraception. The Female Condom provides women with a non-hormonal contraceptive option.

PROTECTS FROM STIs

To maintain a healthy immune system and to continue feeling well, it is important for women living with HIV to avoid infections including STIs. STIs which cause lesions, such as genital warts and herpes, can increase the risk of HIV transmission to sexual partners. The Female Condom provides protection from STIs, including HIV, and is an effective safer sex option for women.

AVOIDS REINFECTION

Avoiding HIV reinfection is very important. Reinfection with a different strain of HIV can lessen the effectiveness of HIV treatments and also increases the possibility of becoming treatment-resistant. Barrier devices such as the male condom and the Female Condom are the only products which offer protection from HIV reinfection between HIV positive partners.

For more information - please see The Female Condom Fact Sheet. The Female Condom is not available in Australia, please visit http://www.femalecondom.org.

For further information

Contact the Healthline on 1300 658 886.