Complete Guide To Female Condoms: How to Use & Precautions

Fourteen million female condoms are distributed in the developing world on an annual basis with comparison to nine billion male condoms. This fact in itself highlights the essence of emphasizing on the importance and use of female condoms. So what are female condoms? Female condoms are lubricated pouches made of polyurethane type of plastic or latex. Women wear it inside their vagina during sex. It has a ring at each end. The ring with the closed end of sheath lies inside the vagina, and the other ring at the open end of the sheath lies outside the vagina after insertion. It is usually thin, loose fitting, flexible and larger and wider than male condoms. Female condoms are medium easy to carry and disposable.They do not need specific storage as polyurethane is not affected by changes in temperature and dampness and also the material used is less likely to cause any allergic reactions.

How to use female condoms? The following points give step by step instructions on using female condoms Wash your hands, and open the packet carefully. The condom can be inserted eight hours before lovemaking.Choose a position that you feel comfortable in inserting. You can squat with knees apart or lie down with legs bent and knees apart or stand with one foot up on the chair. Before inserting make sure the condom is lubricated enough. If not add some, so that you don’t stop in between your highest peak of sex play. Hold the sheath in such a way that the open end is left hanging down. Squeeze the inner ring with your thumb and middle finger so that it becomes long and narrow. Insert the inner ring and sheath into the vaginal opening. You can push it slowly with your index finger as far as you can. The condom should not be twisted inside the vagina, therefore make sure it is straight. Guide the male organ into the condom by holding it gently with your palm for not slipping into the vagina outside the condom. If the condom slips during the intercourse then stop immediately and pull the female condom out carefully. Squeeze and twist the outer ring after intercourse to keep all the fluids inside the condom. Do not reuse the condoms or throw it in the toilet after intercourse. Women can use female condoms if their partner refuses to or rather women share the responsibilities to protect themselves and their partner from STDs. It will also safeguard them from pregnancy. But just like male condoms, there are cons attached to the female condoms as well. Polyurethane condoms are most likely to slip or brake than latex. The failure rate is more when compared to other contraceptive methods. Women have frequently complained of the noise made by the condom and uncomfort caused during intercourse as the outer ring is visible outside vagina. It is hard to insert and remove and comparably more expensive than male condoms. However please keep the following in mind while using female condoms: Female condoms SHOULD NEVER be used for anal sex as, it is difficult to use and painful. It is said its use can risk rectal bleeding which increases the risk of contracting HIV. The female condom should not be used at the same time as a male condom because the friction between the two condoms may cause the condoms to break.