Female condoms: tell me more

I want to try female condoms, but I have no idea where to get them or how to use them! Also, are they effective at preventing STDs?

Thank you very much for your question. It’s actually something that should be a concern to many, especially with regard to Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancies. With women at higher risk by nature, one would imagine that they would be at the forefront of demanding the availability of female condoms.

However, that is not the case, as sex is still very male-driven. A few brave women buy and carry condoms but most just insist on the guy bringing his own.

But as the saying goes ‘once the penis gets hard, the brain goes soft’: when men get sexually excited, they tend to stop being sensible. This could mean that they try to have sex without a condom, or put it on too quickly and carelessly, thus increasing the chance of it busting or even getting lost.

This is why, in many regards, female condoms are better at protecting from unwanted pregnancies and STDs.

What is a female condom?

There are several types of female condoms. There are a few chemists that stock them.

The failure rates are higher than male condoms in both typical use (21%) and perfect use (5%).

How to put on and use a female condom

Once you open the condom, you must determine which end is closed; that’s the end with the smaller ring.
Find a comfortable position to insert it: standing up, lying down, squatting, sitting, or even one foot raised on a chair.
Pinch the ring on the closed end with your thumb and index finger and insert it as deep as you can. Then insert the middle finger into the condom and push it all the way up; just like inserting a tampon. Make sure you leave the outer ring and a little of the condom outside.
You and your partner must ensure the penis penetrates into the condom and not alongside the sides of the vagina.
After sex, you must twist the outer ring to avoid spilling sperm; then gently pull it out.
Female condoms cannot be reused and shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet.

Advantages

Female condoms can be put in and worn hours before they are needed. So, no interruptions and awkward moments, which can be the case with male condoms.
Female condoms offer more sensation, compared to their male counterparts. This is because many are not made of latex, but materials that make conducting body heat easier. Female condoms hence feel more natural.
The rings can make sex more pleasurable for both men and women during sex, as they rub on the most sensitive parts of the genitals.
A woman can pee while the condom is still inside.

Disadvantages and perceptions

Some people associate condoms with sex workers and women of ‘low morals’, which created a stigma around using condoms.
Some men still have the attitude that sex is for the man’s pleasure only; therefore, only he has a say. If you are in a relationship with such a person, you need to think twice if this is really what you want for yourself.
Female condoms can be awkward and tedious to use, but with time it gets easier.
Female condoms are more expensive and harder to find than male condoms.

Parting shot

Putting the female condom in can be part of the foreplay, where the man can assist in putting it in. And there are quite a few varieties, from condoms with sponges to sexy ‘panty condoms’.

Have you tried female condoms? Are they hot or not? Share your thoughts in the comment section below or let our moderators know if you have any questions.