The condom for women?

How does it work?

Also known as the vaginal pouch, the female condom is a disposable sheath designed to protect a woman from pregnancy and STDs by lining the vagina. It is made of soft polyurethane and not latex like men's condoms.

It can also be used with a spermicide for added protection. The condom does comes pre-lubricated with a silicone-based, non-spermicidal lubricant, however a spermicial lubricant can be used for added protection.

How do I use it?

Always read the package insert first. There will be pictures to help with insertion in the insert. Use care when opening the condom package. Stand with one leg on a chair or the toilet. Holding the condom with the open end down, squeeze the inner ring between your thumb and middle finger. You can use your index finger to hold the condom steady. Still squeezing the ring, insert the inner ring into your vagina. You may need to use some of the lubricant contained in the package before you insert the ring. You can tell that it is in place when the inner ring is up just past the pubic bone. You can feel your pubic bone by curving your finger towards your front when it is a couple of inches inside your vagina. Then put your finger inside the sheath until you can feel the bottom of the inner ring. Now push the ring up into the vagina. Then push the inner ring high into the vagina, over your cervix. Use your index finger to push the ring past the pubic bone. It is two inches or so inside your vagina. The outer ring stays outside, resting open against your outer vaginal lips.

During sexual intercourse, guide the penis into the pouch. You can add lubricant inside or outside the pouch to make it more comfortable. After sex, do not stand up with the condom still in. (Sperm could leak into your vagina.) While yet lying down, twist the outer ring to close off the semen inside; now pull it out gently. Tie a knot in it and throw it in the trash (not the toilet). Use a new condom each time you have sexual intercourse. As extra protection against pregnancy, you can insert extra spermicidal cream, jelly, or foam into the vagina after removing the condom.

Pros and Cons

This method allows a woman to protect herself from STDs as well as pregnancy. Because the vaginal pouch does not require the male to be fully erect, it can be inserted well before penetration is desired.

There is no need for withdrawal immediately following male orgasm, unlike traditional condoms.

This product is fairly new and the information on effective use is somewhat limited. Some women complain that the sheath moves, or is “noisy”, as in squeaking, or it is uncomfortable.