Factsheet

The Female Condom

Date   11 February 2008

How to use the Female Condom

The Female Condom is available in many countries around the world including Australia. It 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 transmissible infections (STIs)
  
  
• 50-70% of women and their partners like using the Female Condom.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The Female Condom is a 17cm long condom with a flexible ring at each end. Unlike regular condoms, the Female Condom is made of polyurethane not latex. The Female Condom conducts heat, so sex can feel more sensitive. It is like a strong second skin, for a natural, more pleasurable experience. It is an alternative to the male condom as a barrier method for safer sex and contraception.

The Female Condom provides women with another choice for both safer sex and contraception, and best of all - it's a choice that's yours.

SAFE SEX JUST GOT BETTER!

Preventing STIs

The Female Condom provides protection from many STIs including HIV. It adheres to the wall of the vagina and acts as a barrier to infection. The outer ring of the Female Condom remains on the outside of the vagina and covers the area around the opening of the vagina (vulva).

Contraception

The Female Condom is comparable to the male condom as a barrier method of contraception and is more effective than other methods, eg the diaphragm. Like all barrier contraceptives, the effectiveness of the Female Condom is highly dependent on correct and consistent use. Key factors for effective use of the female condom:

• getting used to the Female Condom - how it looks and how it feels
  
  
• getting used to inserting and using the Female Condom. This may take some practise. It is important to try using it at least three times. Practise makes perfect and can be fun!

Perfect use: 95%
Typical use: 79%

SOME FACTS & TIPS FOR USE

• The Female Condom is designed to fit all women and is suitable for women of all ages.
  
  
• THE FEMALE CONDOM CAN BE USED ONCE ONLY. If used more than once, protection from STIs or unwanted pregnancy is decreased.
  
  
• The Female Condom is soft and flexible, and does not hurt to insert or remove.
  
  
• The Female Condom can be used during menstruation.
  
  
• Some men are unable to wear male condoms comfortably. Because the Female Condom is loose and worn inside the vagina, penis size is not a problem.
  
  
• Some women are allergic to the latex used in male condoms or to the ingredients in water-based lubricants. The Female Condom is made of polyurethane, not latex, and is pre-lubricated with a silicone-based lubricant. Oil based lubricant also can be used with the Female Condom.
  
  
• The Female Condom CANNOT be used with the male condom because this can cause the female condom to move out of place or the male condom to slip off.
  
  
• If the Female Condom bunches up when the penis is inserted into the vagina, stop, apply more lubricant and guide the penis into the Female Condom.
  
  
• If it makes a noise that bothers you during sex, try adding extra lubricant.

You may want to practice a few times before using it during sex.

WHERE DO YOU GET IT?

You can buy female condoms from Family Planning NSW clinics. Most sexual health clinics and some women's health clinics and pharmacies also stock them. For more information, you can visit http://www.femalecondom.org.

HOW DO YOU USE THE FEMALE CONDOM?

1. Looking at the Female Condom
   
   The outer ring at the open end covers the area around the opening of the vagina. The inner ring is used for insertion and to help hold the Female Condom in place. Rub the sides of the Female Condom together to spread the lubricant.
   
   
2. How to insert the Female Condom
   
   a. Hold the inner ring between your thumb and middle finger.
   
   b. Put your index finger on the pouch between your thumb and other fingers and squeeze the inner ring.
   
   c. Slide it into your vagina as far as it will go. Push up the front of the inner ring so it slips into place. When it's in the right place you can't feel it. Don't worry - it can't go in too far and IT WON'T HURT!
   
   
3. Make sure it is in the correct place
   
   Make sure the Female Condom is not twisted. The outer ring should be outside the vagina.
   
   
4. Removing the Female Condom
   
   After sex, remove the Female Condom before you stand up. Squeeze the outer ring and twist it. Pull the Female Condom out gently. Wrap it in tissues, or place in a plastic or paper bag and throw it in the rubbish bin, not in the toilet.

REMEMBER:

Do not re-use the Female Condom or use it with a male condom. If you feel that the Female Condom has not worked properly, or you have forgotten to use it, emergency contraception can be used within 120 hours of unprotected sex, to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy.

Download more info The Female Condom (Adobe PDF File)
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For further information

Contact the Healthline on 1300 658 886.