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 The Male Condom
The Female Condom
Diaphragm
Cervical cap
Contraceptive Sponge
Implants (Norplant)
Shots (Depo-Provera)
Birth Control Pills
IUDs
Emergency Contraception
The Female Condom
The female condom is made of polyurethane and is worn by a
women during intercourse. It
completely lines the vagina and partly covers the perineum,
helping both to prevent
pregnancy and provide protection against sexually transmitted
diseases. One ring lies inside
the vagina, while the other ring, on the open edge, remains
outside the vagina and covers
the perineum, allowing protection for the labia and base of
the penis during intercourse.
The female condom doesn't contain spermicide and should not be
used at the same time as a
male latex condom. There is lubricant on the inside of the
female condom, and additional
silicone based lubricant is often used with the female condom.
The rates of effectiveness of the female condom vary according
to how long a period a person
has used it and whether it's used every time a woman has
intercourse. Generally, it is
considered effective just over 80% of the time, when used
properly.
The female condom is not
difficult to use, but it takes some practice to become used to
it. It is advised that women practice inserting the female
condom and removing it before they use it during sexual
activity.
As with male condoms, the female condom should be used only
once.
Also important when using the female condom is that the penis
enters the vagina correctly. It is often helpful to guide the
penis as it enters the vagina to ensure that the penis hits
the center of the female condom, instead of between the
vaginal wall and outer side of the condom. If the penis does
not enter correctly, the penis should be drawn out of the
vagina and guided in correctly.
The female condom has added another birth control method to
the many pregnancy prevention options available. Although the
effectiveness rates are not as high as the male condom, it
offers women protection that they themselves can control and
can be inserted hours prior to sexual activity.
Visit the Reproductive Health
Online website, sponsored by Johns Hopkins University for more
information about
reproductive health and birth control methods. For
information on
teen sexuality and birth control, visit the Sex Etc.
website designed by teens for teens. |
