HiTOPS.org ~ Female Condom

Female Condom

A female condom is a polyurethane pouch that fits inside a woman's vagina and is used both as a birth control method and as protection from sexually transmitted infections. It has a soft ring on each end. The inner ring fits inside the vagina to hold the condom in place, the outer ring stays on the outside of the vagina and partly covers the labia. The female condom is used during vaginal or oral sex but is not appropriate for anal intercourse. Used properly, the female condom is about 85% effective for preventing pregnancy and can be purchased at a pharmacy.

How do I use it?

Add a water-based lubricant to the inside of the condom.
Squeeze the inner ring of the condom and place the inner ring and pouch into the vagina.
With your finger, push the inner ring as far into the vagina as it will go. The outer ring stays outside the vagina.
Guide the penis into the lubricated condom.
Remove the condom before standing up to avoid semen spills. Pull the condom out of the vagina gently.
Dispose used condoms in the trash.

Never use the female condom along with a male condom (this creates friction which can cause a tear in the condom). Use female condoms along with another method (spermicides, birth control pills, the shot, etc.) for the best pregnancy prevention.