September 15th, 2011 by Hasham

The FC and FC2 female condoms

The FC2 female condom is a nitrile sheath or pouch 17cm (6.5 inches) in length. At each end there is a flexible ring. At the closed end of the sheath, the flexible ring is inserted into the vagina to hold the female condom in place. The other end of the sheath stays outside the vulva at the entrance to the vagina. This ring acts as a guide during penetration and it also stops the sheath from moving up inside the vagina.

There is a silicone-based lubricant on the inside of the condom, but additional lubrication can be used. The condom does not contain spermicide.

The original version of the FC female condom (brand names included Reality, Femy and Femidom), was made of polyurethane. As this was a relatively expensive material to use, the makers of the FC female condom released the FC2 version, using the cheaper nitrile material. Large-scale production of the FC2 began in 2007. Production of the original FC condom has now stopped.

The FC2 female condom received FDA approval in March 2009.1
Other types of female condom

The VA w.o.w Condom Feminine (or VA for short) is made of latex. At around 9cm (3.5 inches) it is shorter than the FC2. It has a rounded triangular frame at the open end and a sponge inside the closed end, which helps to anchor it inside the vagina. The VA is lubricated and does not contain spermicide. Oil-based lubricants should not be used with this female condom as they can damage latex.

The VA has received the CE mark for distribution in the European Union, but has not received FDA approval. The World Health Organization is due to review the product following the results from a 2011 clinical trial.2

Other female condoms include Cupid female condom (produced and distributed in India) and the Phonenurse female condom (produced and distributed in China).
back to top How do you use the female condom?

Open the package carefully. Choose a position that is comfortable for insertion – squat, raise one leg, sit or lie down. Make sure the condom is lubricated enough.

If you are using the FC2 female condom, make sure the inner ring is at the closed end of the sheath, and hold the sheath with the open end hanging down. Squeeze the inner ring with thumb and middle finger (so it becomes long and narrow), and then insert the inner ring and sheath into the vaginal opening. Gently insert the inner ring into the vagina and feel it go up. Place the index finger inside the condom and push the inner ring as far as it will go. Make sure the condom is inserted straight, and is not twisted inside the vagina. The outer ring should remain on the outside of the vagina.
The VA w.o.w. Condom Feminine, a type of female condom A VA w.o.w Condom Feminine

To begin inserting the VA, hold the sponge and frame close together and place the closed end in front of the vagina. Use two fingers to push the closed end containing the sponge inside the vagina as far as it will go. Make sure the sponge is opened up flat once it has been inserted. The frame should remain on the outside of the vagina.

The penis should be guided into the female condom in order to ensure that it does not slip into the vagina outside the condom. Use enough lubricant so that the condom stays in place during sex. The female condom should not be used at the same time as a male condom because the friction between the two condoms may cause the condoms to break.

If the condom slips during intercourse, or if it enters the vagina, then you should stop immediately and take the female condom out. Then insert a new one and add extra lubricant to the opening of the sheath or on the penis.

To remove the condom, twist the outer ring or frame gently and then pull the condom out keeping the sperm inside. Wrap the condom in the package or in tissue and throw it away. Do not put it into the toilet. It is generally recommended that the female condom should not be reused.

The female condom may feel unfamiliar and may be difficult to insert at first. Some women find that with time and practice using the female condom becomes easier.

What are the benefits?

* It provides an opportunity for women to share the responsibility for condoms with their partners.
* A woman may be able to use the female condom if her partner refuses to use a male condom.
* The female condom will protect against most STDs and pregnancy if used correctly.
* The FC2 female condom can be inserted in advance of sexual intercourse so as not to interfere with the moment.
* The FC2 female condom is made of nitrile, which can be used with oil-based as well as water-based lubricants. No special storage requirements are needed because nitrile is not affected by changes in temperature and dampness. In addition, nitrile conducts heat well, so sensation is preserved.

Use

Female condoms can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse and are only effective when placed prior to intercourse. At first, female condoms can be awkward to use, but they are easy with practice. Take your time and try inserting the condom before sexual play. You can stand with one foot up on a chair, sit with your knees apart, or lie down. Lubrication can help keep the condom in place and lessen noise during intercourse. Adding spermicide before or after insertion can reduce the risk of pregnancy.

Definition

The female condom is a contraceptive device that provides a barrier between female and male genitals during sex. The female condom is a soft, loosefitting pouch with a ring on each end. Before sex, one ring is inserted into the vagina to hold the female condom in place. The ring at the open end of the condom remains outside the vagina.

Only two female condoms — the FC1 female condom (FC1) and the FC2 female condom (FC2) — have Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in the U.S. The FC1 is made of plastic (polyurethane), while the FC2 is made of synthetic latex. Both come pre-lubricated with a silicone-based lubricant.

The female condom can prevent pregnancy and protect you and your partner from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some women find the female condom difficult to insert, however, and availability may be limited.