Female condoms (another name is femidom), although they look slightly different from the male ones, have a similar effect, and most importantly - as the only female contraceptive, they protect not only against fertilization, but also sexually transmitted diseases.
Female condomsare highly effective in contraception (low Pearl Index), but are not a popular contraceptive, and hardly anyone has heard of them. Where is the cause?
Female condom - appearance and application
The female condom looks a bit different than the male condom. It is made of polyurethane or natural latex and is moistened with spermicide on the inside.
It looks like a transparent, oblong, wide balloon with characteristic rings - at the beginning (open) and at the end (closed). The rings help to position the condom and keep it from falling out.
A female condom is a single-use condom
Putting on a female condom requires precision and is not as easy as putting a condom on your penis. The condom should be inserted deeply into the vagina so that the inner ring embraces the cervix.
How to do it? Squeezing the ring with your fingers, we insert it deep into the vagina until we feel the opening of the cervix. The outer ring should protrude approximately 2 centimeters from the vagina. The correct insertion of a female condom has the greatest impact on its effectiveness.
A significant difference in using female and male condoms is the fact that female condoms can be put on even a few hours before intercourse (up to 8 hours), and removed from the vagina immediately after intercourse. When removing the condom, only squeeze the outer ring to avoid semen leakage.
Female condom - how it works
The female condom prevents the penis from coming into contact with the vagina. Femidom can be called a reservoir that isolates sperm from a woman's genital tract. Sperm have no chance of getting into the egg and fertilizing it.
The mode of action of this contraceptive is therefore practically identical to that of a male condom. Especially since, like her, a female condomalso protects against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Because the outer ring of the condom also protects the vulva, this contraceptive can also protect against infections such as genital herpes, papilloma and syphilis, which are diseases spread through skin-to-skin contact. The effectiveness of the condom for women is estimated at 95%.
Condom must be properly worn and used properly in order to prevent pregnancy and to protect against sexually transmitted disease. The partner must be very careful that his penis is not inserted into the vagina next to the condom (between the vaginal wall and the condom).
Pros and cons of a female condom
Female condoms have a number of downsides and a few downsides. The advantages of a female condom certainly include high contraceptive effectiveness and protection against many sexually transmitted diseases.
Another advantage is that there are practically no contraindications to its use. The special material from which it is made does not cause allergies. A condom is a reliever measure, so it does not need to be used continuously, as is the case with hormonal contraception. In addition, a condom can be put on even a few hours before intercourse, so its use will not affect, for example, the atmosphere of foreplay.
The downside of female condoms is the discomfort that many users of this method complain about. Women can feel the presence of a condom in the vagina and it may make embarrassing noises during intercourse. This often does not allow for complete sexual satisfaction. In addition, it is inconvenient to put it on and make sure that the condom does not leak out or shift during intercourse. A spontaneous falling out of a condom is also not uncommon.
The visual side of this method of contraception can also be a discomfort - let us remind you that the outer ring protrudes beyond the vagina, which can take away a woman's sense of attractiveness. Another disadvantage of condoms is their price and limited availability. This contraceptive can only be obtained from a handful of pharmacies. The cost of the 1st piece is about PLN 10.
Female condom - who is it the best method of contraception for?
As it is a non-hormonal method, its use is recommended for women who cannot take hormones for various reasons (e.g. due to a deteriorated well-being). Some men cannot use condoms due to allergies, for example, so also using a female condom may be a better option in this situation. A female condom is also an optimal protection against pregnancyif intercourse is rare and irregular.
Since it is a method that protects against many serious diseases, e.g. HIV, it will work in the situation of e.g. casual sex.
Female condom - what to remember?
- Before using the femidom, check the expiration date and then check the condom for any visible damage.
- Do not use it together with a male condom - using both may damage the material.
- To avoid sliding the condom inside the vagina, hold the outer ring while inserting the penis.
- Be careful not to let your penis slip between the vagina and the condom.
- After intercourse, immediately remove the condom from the vagina, taking care not to let the semen leak out.
- A female condom is a single-use condom.