Imagine something that can be worn by a woman during sex that protects against pregnancy, HIV and other STIs and also enhances pleasure for both her and her partner.

The government distributed 26-million femidoms (female condoms) last year and by March 2017, the country aims to distribute four-million more. A packet contains two femidoms for about R34.50. Ordering online can be a great option or you may be able to find a clinic or pharmacy nearby that has them.

Fast facts

    • You are in control when using femidoms. The use of male condoms often has to be negotiated and relies on the cooperation of men. Femidom use needs to be negotiated only once.
    • The Lovers Plus Inner Condom (FC2) is made of synthetic non-latex and is coated with a silicone oil lubricant.
    • FC2 femidoms are not damaged by oil based lubricants nor affected by changes in temperature and humidity so they can be safely stored almost anywhere – unlike latex condoms.
    • Before use, always check the expiry date and check if your femidom is damaged.
    • The FC2 can be inserted up to eight hours before having sex, so foreplay is not necessarily interrupted.
    • Femidoms may be a more viable option for women who can’t or don’t want to use hormonal contraception because they provide effective, protection from unintended pregnancy and STIs, including HIV.
    • Latex-free femidoms offer people with latex sensitivities an option for dual protection.
    • Pre-lubricated femidoms offer post-menopausal women a solution to vaginal dryness that can enhance their pleasure.
    • The femidom offers increased protection against skin-to-skin STIs by covering the external genitalia.
    • Each femidom can only be used once.
    • Femidoms can also be used for anal sex.
    • Don’t use femidoms and male condoms together because they can stick to each other and cause tearing.
    • If the femidom rips or falls out of your vagina, take emergency contraception as soon as possible within five days.

Female condoms can increase pleasure

    • Femidoms can increase pleasure for both partners due to the attributes of specific products, such as heat transmitting material (non-latex femidoms), stimulation from the inner and/or outer ring, wider size, and looser fit.
    • Unlike male condoms, femidoms are not erection-dependent, enabling partners to remain close after climax and enjoy greater intimacy.
    • Femidoms can allow for greater spontaneity as they can be inserted vaginally minutes in advance of intercourse.
    • Partners can use femidoms as part of foreplay.

How to use it

    • Insert the femidom while standing, sitting, squatting or lying down. Squeeze the flexible ring at the closed end and then push it inside the vagina. This ring holds the femidom in place during sex. The wider ring remains outside the vagina and covers part of the external genitalia.
    • The ring at the closed end is inserted into your vagina and holds the tube in place against the cervix. The ring at the open end stays outside of your vagina during sex. The penis enters the vagina through the open end of the femidom.

 

Sources

 

http://condoms4all.org
www.bedsider.org
www.femalecondomday.org