GET THE FACTS:
The Female Condom
What is the female condom?
Do I need to consult a physician?
How much does the Reality female condom cost? Where can
I get them?
How effective is the female condom in preventing
pregnancy?
Does the female condom prevent the transmission of STIs?
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
What's silky and smooth and gets inserted into the vagina, while simultaneously rubbing against your clitoris? Sounds like a fun night with your beloved partner, lover, snazzy sex toy or your ingenious imagination... Nope, it's the female condom!
Eight years ago (April 27, 1993), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration pronounced the approval of the first barrier contraceptive for women. The female condom is a woman-controlled contraceptive option that enables a woman to more fully navigate her sexual life and thoroughly enjoy the freedoms it provides. CAKE.Girls desire a straightforward contraceptive option: one that provides safety, sexual pleasure, comfort and reliability. Could the female condom be an answer?
What
is the female condom?
The female condom is a lubricated polyurethane sheath, NOT made of rubber
or latex (a plus for those of you allergic to latex condoms!). It's about
six inches in length and two inches wide, with one open and one closed
end, each reinforced by a flexible plastic ring. The closed end gets inserted
into the vagina and fits over the cervix. The open end sits just outside
of the vaginal lips. Female condoms can be inserted into the vagina up
to eight hours before sexual intercourse. If used correctly, the female
condom prevents sperm from entering the vagina and seals out sexually
transmitted microbes. The female condom can be inserted by you (and your
partner) in the vagina just before intercourse or hours prior - which
establishes a spontaneity that the male condom does not provide.
The female condom is designed for single use only. Statistics reveal that
fewer than 1% of contraceptive users say their primary method is the female
condom
Do
I need to consult a physician?
NO- the female condom does not require a fitting by a health care professional.
How
much does the Reality female condom cost? Where can I buy them?
The female condom costs approximately $3 per condom They are relatively
easy to locate. Use this store locater to find a convenient spot: www.femalehealth.com/stores.html
or order them on-line:
Toys in Babeland ($3.50/single) - www.babeland.com/catalog/index.html
Condomania ($9.95/three pack) - www.condomania.com
Drugstore.com ($12.99/six pack) - www.drugstore.com
How
effective is the female condom in preventing pregnancy?
Reality is estimated to be 95% effective when used consistently and correctly.
Does
the female condom prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections?
Reality female condoms reduce the risk of HIV infection by 97.1%.
Several in vitro studies have revealed the female condom to be an effective
barrier to microorganisms including HIV, hepatitis B, herpes, human papilloma
virus (HPV), chlamydia and gonorrhea
What
are the advantages and disadvantages?
- Easily accessible- available over the counter at many local drug stores, some markets, and health clinics
- Personal control over use
- Remains in place regardless of penis hardness
- Does not 'rely' on the man to take responsibility for putting on a male condom
- Does not experience "fall off" which occurs with the male condom
- It has been reported by both men and women, that increased sensitivity exists and feels more "natural" than the male condom
- Hypo-allergenic
- Side effects are rare
- Water and oil-based lubricants can be used
- Protects against
such sexually transmitted infections as: HIV, hepatitis B, herpes, human
papilloma virus (HPV), chlamydia and gonorrhea
- More expensive than male condom
- It's novelty is said to be one of its downfalls: few understand how to properly use it
- The slipperiness of the condom can make insertion difficult
- It's size, initial
awkwardness and sound during intercourse can be off-putting
Jessica Zucker, MPH - Contributor
Sources: cnn, femalehealth.com, ppnyc, thriveonline.com, sexuality.org, scarleteen.com, commondreams.org, naral, agi