WHO and UNAIDS are encouraging the introduction of the female condom as a new method of preventing both pregnancy and infection and as an additional tool in efforts to respond to the needs of women and men in sexual and reproductive health. The female condom is also effective part of the solution in prevention of [...]

Some people use the female condom for anal sex. Although it can work effectively, it is difficult to use and can be painful. There is also the risk of rectal bleeding which increases the risk of contracting HIV. So it’s better to use the male condom for anal sex with plenty of lubricant NOT containing [...]

It is believed that limited availability and high cost have led some women to reuse female condoms in some countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends use of a new male or female condom for every act of intercourse for those people who use condoms for pregnancy prevention and/or STI/HIV prevention.
WHO does not recommend or [...]

The outer ring is visible outside the vagina, which can make some women feel self-conscious.
The female condom can make noises during intercourse. Adding more lubricant can help this problem.
Some women find the female condom hard to insert and to remove
It has a higher failure rate in preventing pregnancy than non-barrier methods such as the pill
It [...]

Opportunity for women to share the responsibility for the condoms with their partners
A woman can use the female condom if her partner refuses to use the male condom
The polyurethane, the material the female condom is made of, is less likely to cause an allergic reaction than a male latex condom. It is not clear whether [...]

Open the package carefully. Choose a position that is comfortable for insertion – squat, raise one leg, sit or lie down. Make sure the condom is lubricated enough. Make sure the inner ring is at the bottom closed end of the sheath, and hold the sheath with the open end hanging down.
Squeeze the inner ring [...]

The female condom is a polyurethane sheath or pouch about 17 cm (6.5 inches) in length. It is worn by a woman during sex. It entirely lines the vagina and it helps to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV.
At each end of the condom there is a flexible ring. At the closed [...]

It can be difficult to talk about using condoms. But you shouldn’t let embarrassment become a health risk. The person you are thinking about having sex with may not agree at first when you say that you want to use a condom when you have sex. These are some comments that might be made and [...]

All condoms should be disposed of by wrapping in tissue or toilet paper and throwing them in the bin. Condoms should not be flushed down the toilet as they may cause blockages in the sewage system and pollution.
Latex condoms are made mainly from latex with added stabilizers, preservatives and vulcanizing (hardening) agents. Latex is a [...]

If used properly, a condom is very effective at reducing the risk of being infected with HIV during sexual intercourse. Using a condom also provides protection against other sexually transmitted diseases, and protection against pregnancy. In the laboratory, latex condoms are very effective at blocking transmission of HIV because the pores in latex condoms are [...]

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