Female Condom Fact Sheet
The most effective way to prevent getting Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (STDs) including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) is to
not have sex. To lower your risk, both partners can get tested for
STDs, including HIV, before having sex.
If you do have sex with a partner whose disease status is unknown
or who is infected with HIV or another STD, using polyurethane
female condoms properly can help protect you. Talk to your partner
about using condoms to avoid STDs. Using condoms does not mean you
do not trust each other.
The Right Way to Use a Condom:
- The female condom acts like a barrier. It is a soft, thin but
strong sheath that sticks to the inside of the vagina. It has a
soft flexible ring at each end. The ring at the closed end helps
to put the condom inside and hold it in place. The open end stays
outside the body and helps to protect the outside of the vagina.
- The female condom is lubricated. Extra lubricant can be added
for ease of movement and for extra pleasure.
- The female condom should not be used with a latex male condom
since the female condom maybe moved out of position.
- The female condom does not contain a spermicide. Spermicides
like Nonoxynol-9 can be used.
- Whether condoms lubricated with spermicides such as Nonoxynol-9
are more effective than other lubricated condoms in protecting
against HIV and other STDs is not known.
- Use a new condom with each act of sexual intercourse; the female
condom is for one-time use.
- Carefully open the package and remove the condom. Carefully
handle the condom to avoid damaging it with fingernails, teeth,
or other sharp objects such as jewelry.
- The condom can be inserted up to eight hours before sex. Most
women insert the female condom between 2-20 minutes beforehand.
- To insert the condom, squeeze the inner ring and push it up
into the vagina as far as it will go. When both partners are ready,
guide the penis into the female condom. The female condom allows
for free movement during sex.
- The condom should be removed after sex and before standing
up. It can be removed up to eight hours after use.
Condoms Work If You Use Them The Right Way Every
Time.
Division of Sexually
Transmitted Diseases
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