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September 16 is Global Female Condom Day, but this contraceptive device isn't nearly as well known as its male counterpart. Also called an "internal condom", it works like other condoms/barriers except it's worn on the inside. It can be used either for vaginal or anal intercourse.
The female condom was invented by a man - Danish physician Lasse Hessel - which launched in Europe in 1990 and got FDA approval in 1993. Called "Femidom" at first, Hessel reportedly developed it in response to a lack of options available for women trying to avoid HIV. Some sources also report a reason for its creation is because of men saying that traditional condoms don't give as much sensation as not wearing one, and that condoms can have a negative impact on male erections.
Made from synthetic nitrile (a latex alternative that's commonly used in medical settings and is more durable and chemical-resistant), the female condom is a thin, loose-fitting sheath with a flexible ring at one end and a ring/foam disc at the closed end, which is used to insert the condom into the vagina (or anus) and holds it in place during sex.
The ring at the open end remains outside of the vagina and covers some of the genitalia. The penis/sex toy/strap-on goes through the outer ring and inside the vagina or anus.
The CDC recommends using lubricant to help prevent the condom from slipping and tearing, and not to use a male/external condom as the friction can cause tearing. There's also a detailed illustrated guide on how to insert and remove a female condom on the CDC website here.
There are other versions of the female condom that are made from natural latex, polyurethane, polyethylene resin, and even silicone.
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa says the female condom is typically 85% effective at preventing pregnancy. When used perfectly, it's around 95-98% effective. Condoms - both male and female - are the best protection you can use against STIs, as viruses like HIV can't pass through an unbroken condom.
Like traditional condoms, female condoms are single-use, and with a little practice, they're relatively easy to use. You should still check the expiration date and never use condoms of any kind that are expired.
The two biggest drawbacks are that they're more expensive than male condoms, and harder to find - generally they need to be bought online, which isn't terribly convenient (or spontaneous).
Some people also think female condoms are difficult to use, but like any skill, practice makes perfect. And while the female condom may slip back into the vagina/anus during use if you're going at it hard and fast, this is easily mitigated by being more conscious of what's happening down below during sex - and just checking everything is still in the right spot, the same way you would with a traditional condom.
But female condoms have some serious benefits:
Even more importantly, female condoms are an incredible tool for preventing HIV, particularly in developing countries. As far back as 2005, Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, then General Secretary of the World YWCA, said: "Female condoms remain the only tool for HIV prevention that women can initiate and control."
She went on to say, "The female condom provides an opportunity for women to actively take part in the discussion on condom use, and it enables women to be in a position where they can offer to protect themselves, rather than waiting to be protected. Access to the full range of HIV prevention tools is essential if we are to protect women, men, and children from AIDS."
Put simply, the female condom is an important tool for women's empowerment and sexual health. On Global Female Condom Day, we're hoping more people become aware of this contraceptive device, and consider adding it to their lives - and telling others about it, so we can all spread the word for women worldwide.
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