STD Prevention: Behavior Change

Safer Sex - The Condom 6

The Female Condom
When women found out that many men failed or even refused to use condoms, they began looking for ways to protect themselves even in these circumstances. The answer was the development of a “female condom”, a vaginal pouch which women can use on their own.

The female condom is a soft, thin lubricated sheath of polyurethane plastic with flexible latex rings at both ends. One of these ends is closed. The device is inserted into the vagina, where the closed ring covers the cervix while the other ring remains visible outside, partially covering the vaginal lips. Like the male condom, it catches the semen after ejaculation and thus prevents any possible infection with HIV or other STDs. The vaginal condom is currently marketed under the name "Reality." It is also sometimes also used by either men or women for anal intercourse, although it has not been designed or tested for this usage.

Inserting the female condom. 1. The ring at the closed end is squeezed together for insertion.
2. Using the index finger inside the condom, it is inserted into the vagina.
3. The closed end of the condom has reached its correct position closed to the cervix, while the open end remains visible outside the vulva.