How to Use a Female Condom: 5 Tips for Female Condom Use

A female condom (also called a vaginal condom or internal condom) is a loose, sheath-style barrier device worn inside the vaginal canal during sexual intercourse. A female condom can reduce the chances of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections or sexually transmitted diseases (STIs or STDs), including herpes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Female condoms are usually made from latex alternatives, like polyurethane, synthetic latex, or nitrile, to avoid allergic reactions or side effects from those with latex allergies. Female condoms are around 95 percent effective as birth control or STI prevention when used correctly, while male condoms are 98 percent effective when used correctly.

You can purchase female condoms over-the-counter, without a contraception prescription from a healthcare professional, in many locations, from drugstores to supermarkets. Some family planning clinics provide free female condoms upon request.

Here are some tips to ensure that female condoms will be as effective as possible during safe sex:

1. 1. Check the expiration date. All condoms have a product lifespan ranging from one to five years, depending on the type, packaging condition, and storing methods. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), every individual female condom wrapper should include an expiration date, after which the condom can be less effective as a contraceptive method or STI barrier.
2. 2. Use water- or silicone-based lubricants. Oil-based lubricants—like baby oil, petroleum jelly, vaseline, lotion, coconut oil, or vegetable oil—can break down the material of female condoms and cause it to break. Instead, use water- or silicone-based lubes.
3. 3. Use one condom at a time. While it may seem like using both a male condom (on the penis) and a female condom (in the vaginal canal) simultaneously would increase the barrier effectiveness, doing so can cause unwanted friction or sticking and tear the prophylactic.
4. 4. Use once and dispose. Female condoms are for one-time use. After you remove a female condom, throw it away rather than putting it back on later in the session or saving it for use at a later date. Pre-used condoms are more liable to break or leak.
5. 5. Store properly. Similar to male condoms, female condoms can break down when exposed to heat, friction, or excess moisture, causing them to be less effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states to store all condoms in a cool, dry place without large swings in temperature. Avoid storing condoms in your glovebox, where the heat can make them ineffective, or a wallet, where potential friction can result in tearing or breakage.

Female condoms may be most comfortable to insert once the vaginal canal is aroused (after foreplay). Here’s a step-by-step guide to effective female condom use:

1. 1. Remove the condom from the wrapper. Carefully tear the wrapper open and remove the female condom. When you remove it from the package, it should look like a folded flat circle. Female condoms look like a long, loose sheath with a ring at each end when unfolded.
2. 2. Identify the closed end of the condom. One end of the female condom will be the open end, with a wide ring; the other end will be closed and contain a flexible inner ring. Take the flexible ring of the closed-end in your fingers and squeeze it, similar to the way you hold a pencil.
3. 3. Insert the ring into the vagina. While squeezing the ring, gently insert it into the vagina. Once the ring is entirely inside the vaginal canal, release it, then insert your fingers into the condom to push the ring further into the canal. It should feel similar to inserting a tampon. Push it until it reaches the cervix, where it should naturally open up and secure itself in place. Ensure the condom isn’t twisted inside the vagina, as this can impact its ability to offer complete protection. The outer ring should remain on the outside of the vulva to act as an external barrier for skin-to-skin contact or fluid transmission. If you’re experiencing difficulty inserting it, try lying back in a relaxed, comfortable position or use additional lubrication around the outside of the sheath before insertion.
4. 4. Direct the penis to the condom. Once it’s time for penetration, make sure that the penis goes into the female condom, rather than slipping between the condom and the vaginal wall. To do this, use one hand to hold the outer ring of the open end of the condom in place and guide the penis to the center of the condom.
5. 5. Engage in intercourse. During intercourse, ensure the external ring doesn’t slip inside the vagina, which can render the female condom ineffective. Also, the outer ring may provide additional stimulation to the clitoris during intercourse. When properly worn, female condoms are an effective barrier for vaginal sex or anal sex.
6. 6. Remove. After intercourse, remove the penis from the female condom. Then, take the outer ring in your hand and gently twist it to seal the opening and prevent leakage of any ejaculate. Once the female condom is twisted closed, gently pull to remove it from the vagina.
7. 7. Dispose of the condom. To properly dispose of the female condom, wrap it in a piece of tissue, then place it in a trash receptacle. Medical experts advise against the reuse of female condoms because they are too delicate to withstand a thorough cleaning without breaking or stretching, which would render them ineffective for safe sex.

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