Female condom

Female condom is a device that is used during sexual intercourse as a barrier contraceptive to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs – such as gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV, though its protection against them is inferior to that by male condoms) and unintended pregnancy.

Design

Invented by Danish MD Lasse Hessel, it is worn internally by the female partner and provides a physical barrier to prevent exposure to ejaculated semen or other body fluids. Female condoms can be used by the receptive partner during anal sex.

The female condom is a thin, soft, loose-fitting sheath with a flexible ring at each end. They typically come in various sizes. For most vaginas, a moderately sized condom is adequate; women who have recently given birth should try a large size first. The inner ring at the closed end of the sheath is used to insert the condom inside the vagina and to hold it in place during intercourse. The rolled outer ring at the open end of the sheath remains outside the vagina and covers part of the external genitalia.

Usage

The female condom is inserted into the vagina using the inner ring located at the closed end of the condom. The condom is held in place by the inner ring once the penis has entered the vagina. The outer ring should lie flat against the body. During anal sex, the internal condom is inserted into the anus before sex, just as it would be used in the vagina. The rings can also be used to insert the condom into the anus, and the external part can protect the external skin.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of the female condom in preventing pregnancy and STIs is comparable to other barrier methods. However, the female condom is not as widely used or as available as the male condom. The World Health Organization (WHO) has conducted studies that suggest the female condom may be an effective method to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

See also

• Condom
• Birth control
• Sexually transmitted infection
• HIV/AIDS

References

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