Information about Female Condoms

Female condoms are barrier methods of contraception which prevent the sperm cells from meeting the egg. A female condom is inserted into and lines the vaginal canal of the female. There are many factors which will determine how effective either form of condom would be such as; age, frequency of sexual intercourse and how closely the user follows the instructions.

Pros and Cons of the Female Condom

The failure rates of a female condom are 21%, which means that 21 in every 100 users will become pregnant within the first year of use. Female condoms do not have any harmful long term side effects, with the exception of a person having a latex allergy. Female condoms have certain pros and cons which a woman might want to explore prior to use:

• No side effects
• No hormones
• Less reliable than other birth control methods
• Provides no reduction in the transmission of human papilloma virus (HPV) or Trichomonas vaginalis
• Reduces chances of syphilis by 29%, further reduced to 50-75% when used correctly each time
• Reduces chances of genital herpes
• Reduces transmission rates of HIV/AIDS
• Reduces the risk of gonorrhea and Chlamydia
• Easy to obtain
• Do not need a prescription or medical examination in order to obtain
• Less likely than a male condom to cause an allergic reaction
• Small, easy to transport and disposable
• More expensive than male condoms
• Outer ring of condom might be cumbersome to use
• Popping or crackling noises during intercourse, which could be a distraction