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What is a female condom and how to use it?
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
The female condom is one of the newest contraceptives, although it is not a very cheap option. It is called a femidom or a condom. If a man does not even want to talk about a means of protection, and the very thought of a male condom makes him hysterical, you can take care of yourself and buy a female condom.
When and why was the female condom invented?
It is not known for certain where the female condom was invented. It is only known that this simple but effective means of protection was invented in 1990, and appeared on the world market only 3 years later. The first to use it were the United States. The female condom sold poorly until it was positioned as an excellent means against unwanted pregnancy due to violence. Then women began to buy it, especially when information about AIDS spread throughout the world.
The female condom even began to vary: in order to protect African women from violence, inventor Sonnet Ehlers came up with a model with teeth. It was called RAPEX. As soon as the rapist made the first friction, his penis immediately ran into the spikes in the victim's vagina and was injured. While the rapist writhed in pain, the victim immediately called the police and an ambulance.
A regular female condom is an excellent means of protection against sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS and unwanted pregnancy. Its reliability is not inferior to a male condom and is 99.2% guaranteed - the highest percentage of all existing contraceptives. At first, female condoms were made of polyurethane, then thinner and stronger ones were made - latex. They do not smell as unpleasant as polyurethane, and are also somewhat thinner than male ones, which allows a woman and a man to better feel each other's genitals.
How to use a female condom?
The femidome, or female condom, is easy to use, but you need to practice first. It is a transparent tube made of latex or polyurethane, which has a diameter of about 8 cm and a length of up to 18 cm. One of these rings, like a tampon, is carefully inserted into the vagina, and the second ring of the femidome remains at the entrance to the vagina. For the effect of protection against unwanted pregnancy, it is important that the femidome is inserted into the vagina correctly. Its first ring must be adjacent to the cervix, behind the pubic bone. When the girl removes the condom from the vagina, it is necessary to turn it by the outer ring several times. This way the sperm will remain inside, and there will be no risk of unwanted pregnancy and infections.
You don't have to remove the condom from the vagina right away - and that's its charm. You can lie down, rest, and if you don't plan on having sex again, you can remove the femidom after 10 hours. This is what sets the female condom apart from the male condom, which is removed right away. You can't go too far: use both the female and male condoms at the same time, because they can damage each other. And the sensations aren't pleasant.
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Benefits of a female condom
There are a lot of them. That is why the United Nations Commission on AIDS so actively promotes this item to protect women from infections and unwanted pregnancy. The female condom is good because it can be inserted into the vagina in advance, several hours before intercourse, which preserves the romance of the relationship. The male condom has to be unsealed and put on during the very process of love play, and this somewhat reduces the enthusiasm of both. Perhaps. That is why many men and women are not thrilled with the use of male condoms.
The female condom is designed to promote better stimulation of the clitoris, which increases the woman's arousal. This is especially good for women with a weak and average sexual temperament, who are not so easy to "get turned on".
The female condom is very good because it can be used in any state of the man's penis - even if it is not erect.
A female condom is designed to cover most of a woman's external genitalia, providing additional protection.
Due to the environmentally friendly materials from which the female condom is made, it can be used by all women, even those with allergies. There are no contraindications. The only amendment: those who are allergic to latex should buy a condom made of polyurethane and vice versa: those who do not accept polyurethane should choose latex products.
Are there any disadvantages to the female condom?
- Of course, there is, as with any product. Compared to a male condom, a female condom is much more expensive. It costs from 2 to 6 euros per item.
- Polyurethane condoms may have a rather unpleasant smell, especially when removed. But it quickly evaporates.
- Female condoms are not very suitable for those with weak vaginal muscles. In this condition, it may fall out.
- You also can't use lubricant with a female condom, and it's especially dangerous to use Vaseline. When combined with Vaseline, the rubber of the condom will loosen and soften. And then, at the most unexpected and unplanned moment, the condom may break.
If you really need lube, you can buy lubricated female condoms.