What Is A Female Condom?
I’m sure many of you have heard of the female condom but have you seen one and do you know how it works? The female condom was approved in the US for use in 1993 but it still seems like an unknown entity. I will shed some light on what the female condom is so as to assist you in your knowledge on sexual health.
Female Condom : What Is It?
The female condom is a thin sheath that is inserted into the vagina for the purpose of safe sexual intercourse. It lines the entire vagina and will prevent pregnancy and most Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s). There are two types of female condomes: FC and FC2
- FC – It is a polyurethane sheath that is about 17cm long. There is a ring on both ends and one side is closed. It is this side that is inserted into the vagina. The ring is flexible enough to be inserted, yet sturdy enough to secure the condom in place. On the other side, the ring is placed outside the vagina opening. This will inhibit bunching of the condom during intercourse. The condom contains a silicone-based lubricant on the inside but does not contain a spermicide.
- FC2 – This version of the condom is exactly the same in design, but it is made out of a cheaper product called nitrile. This has been recently approved in December 2008
What Are The Benefits Of Using The Female Condom?
- You can still protect yourself if your boyfriend doesn’t want to use a condom
- The female condom can be inserted for up to 8 hours after intercourse
- The material used in both versions of the female condom are less allergic-causing than the latex condoms for men.
- No special storage requirements for female condoms are necessary so no need to worry about temperature or dampness
What Are The Disadvantages Of Using The Female Condom?
- It’s noisy during intercourse but if you add more lubricant it will lessen the noise.
- It is expensive and is difficult to find in most supermarkets or convenient stores
- There is a higher failure rate in preventing pregnancy
- The outer ring is visible which could hinder sexual enjoyment if women are self-conscious.
Tags: condom, female condom, sexual intercourse, STD's