The female condom is made from polyurethane, a type of plastic (not latex). Polyurethane is thinner than latex but 40 % stronger and are less likely to tear or rip in comparison to male condoms. If used correctly, the female condom will protect against unplanned pregnancy and STDs, including HIV. There are however no guarantees and below are some examples of when the female condom may leave you unprotected.

• There may be insertion difficulties causing incorrect female condom placement.
• The penis may enter beside the condom and not actually inside it.
• The most common use problems, such as condom movement, pushing in/pulling out of the condom, occur when there isn't enough lubrication.
• The female condom is not approved for re-use.
• The condom may break or slip off if it is being used over a long period of time or for highly intense sexual activity.
• If the condom breaks during sex, it should be taken off immediately and a new one put in.

How do you use a Female Condom?
The female condom can be used for vaginal and anal sex, although it has not been approved for anal sex. Below are instructions for both.

Vaginal Sex:
The female condom is designed for vaginal sex and can be used in one of two ways.

1. You can put the female condom over the erect penis, then lubricate and enter slowly.
2. You can manually insert the female condom into the vagina then enter with the erect lubricated penis. To do this you need to:

• Hold the small ring (at the closed end of the condom) between the thumb and middle finger. Find a comfortable position, either lying down, sitting with your knees apart or standing with one foot raised on a stool or toilet.
• Squeeze the small ring and put it into the vagina, pushing it inside as far as possible using the fingers, much like you would insert a tampon.
• Put a finger inside the condom to push the small ring inside as far as possible.
• Make sure the part of the condom with the outer ring hangs outside the body. The outer ring will lie flat against the body when the penis enters the condom.
• Immediately after sex, take out the condom by gently twisting the outer ring and pulling the condom out, making sure that no semen is spilled.

If you are entering the vagina with the female condom already in the vagina it's important to make sure the penis is directed inside the female condom and not beside it.

Anal Sex:
Some gay men and heterosexual couples use the female condom for anal sex, however this has not been tested and is not yet approved. If you're considering using the female condom for anal sex it's important that you use it correctly in one of the following two ways:

1. You can put the female condom over the erect penis, then lubricate and enter slowly.
2. You can manually insert the female condom into the rectum then enter with the erect lubricated penis. To do this you need to:

• Find a comfortable position.
• Hold the small ring (at the closed end of the condom) between the thumb and middle finger. (Some men prefer to take out the small ring before insertion to make the condom more comfortable.)
• Put it into the anus and push it far inside.
• Put a finger inside the condom to push the small ring inside as far as possible (optional, you may have already removed it).
• Make sure the part of the condom with the outer ring is outside the body. The outer ring will lie flat against the body when the penis is inside the condom.
• Immediately after intercourse, take out the condom by gently twisting the outer ring and pulling the condom out, making sure that no semen is spilled.

Note: Extra care needs to be taken if the penis is hitting against the end of the female condom. Although reports of female condom breakage are rare, this activity may put stress on the material that it was not designed to withstand. Also, if you are entering the anus with the female condom already in the anus it's important to make sure the penis is directed inside the female condom and not beside it.

Here are some other interesting facts on the female condom.

1. It's not made of latex so there are no problems for those with latex allergies.
2. It takes at least three tries before most women feel comfortable using it.
3. It can be inserted up to 6 hours before intercourse.
4. Any type of lubrication can be used without affecting it.
5. It can be used either with or without the inner ring. (The inner ring is designed for use in the vagina and is not necessary for anal sex. Some men like the feel of the ring for anal sex, whereas others don't).
6. Polyurethane is not affected by temperature or humidity and has a shelf life of 5 years from the date of manufacture.
7. Since the outer ring of the female condom remains outside the vagina, it offers additional coverage against STDs (compared to the male condom) for external genitalia and the base of the penis.
8. Many people say it feels natural during sex. Some men and women prefer it to the male condom.

Comparison between a male and female condom

Male Condom	Female Condom
Rolled on the man's penis	Inserted into the woman's vagina
Made from latex. Some are made from polyurethane or lambskin	Made from polyurethane
Fits snuggly over the penis	Loosely lines the vagina
Lubricant: Can include spermicide Can be water-based only; cannot be oil-based Located on the outside of condom	Lubricant: Can include spermicide Can be water or oil-based Located on the inside of the condom
Requires erect penis	Does not require erect penis
Condom must be put on an erect penis	Can be inserted prior to sexual intercourse; not dependent on erect penis
Must be removed immediately after ejaculation	Doesn't have to be removed immediately after ejaculation
Covers most of the penis and protects the woman's internal genitalia	Covers both the woman's internal and external genitalia and the base of the penis
Latex can decay if not stored properly	Polyurethane does not break down with temperature or humidity
Recommended as one-time use product	Recommended as one-time use product.

Note: Male and female condoms should not be used together as friction between the plastic and the latex rubber can result in either product failing.

In this section:

• Male Condoms
• Female Condoms
• Latex barriers for oral sex
• Finger(s), hand, fist
• Lubes and Lubrication
• Latex Allergies

How Can I Reduce My Risks?

• New Relationship Testing
• Assertiveness and Safety
• Overcoming Concerns with Condoms
• How do I tell my partner I have an STD?
• Using Protection
• HIV Risks for Gay Men

See Also:

• When am I at risk?
• Why do I take risks?
• How can I reduce my risks?