A female condom is a small pouch made from plastic. It can fit inside the vagina and cover some parts of the vulva to prevent the fluid exchange between two partners.

It has two soft rings on each end. One stays on the outside and one sits near the cervix to keep the condoms from sliding out. The female condom works by collecting the sperm and preventing it from entering the vagina.

If used properly, female condoms are highly effective in protecting against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Advantages of female condoms

· Female condoms cover some of the outside areas of the female genitalia, thus reducing the risk of contracting herpes and genital warts.

· They are small and easy to carry around.

· They fit all women.

· They can be used during menstruation.

· They can be used for anal sex.

Disadvantages of female condoms

· The penis may slip through the space between the female condom and the vaginal wall.

· It may cause noise during sex. But this can be resolved by using a water-based lubricant.

· The condom may come off or tear when removing the penis from the vagina.

· Female condoms are not as widely available as male condoms. They are also more expensive. One female condom costs around RM15.

Using lubricants with female condoms

Condoms often come with some form of lubricant to make them ready for use. But, you may add more lubricant to avoid tearing the condom.

Female condoms made from polyurethane can be used with any type of lubricant while latex male condoms can’t be used with oil-based lubricants such as body oil and petroleum jelly.

Facts about female condoms

· The effectiveness of female condoms against pregnancy is 95%. This means five out of 100 women who use female condoms get pregnant each year.

· Female condoms must be put in place before any sexual activity takes place.

· Female condoms must be stored in temperatures that are neither too hot nor too cold. Avoid storing female condoms near sharp objects that may tear or wear them out.

· Certified female condoms must carry a CE mark on the package. This shows that the condoms have been tested to meet European standards.

· A female condom can be pushed deep into the vagina without worry as they can be removed easily.

· Women who feel uncomfortable touching their genital area may find it hard to use female condoms.

· Female condoms cannot be used more than once.

This article first appeared in hellodoktor.com and was reviewed by Dr Duyen Le. The Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.