Female condoms

Female condoms (sometimes known as femidons) are made from thin polyurethane plastic and are positioned in the vagina to prevent semen getting inside the woman’s body. When used safely during vaginal sex, female condoms can help to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as well as pregnancy.

Using a female condom                        

A female condom may seem more difficult to use than a male condom, but with a little effort and practice some women – and their partners – find they prefer them to male condoms.

• Carefully open the packaging and remove the femidom without tearing it.
• Place the closed end of the condom into the vagina, holding the soft inner ring between your thumb and index finger.
• Use your other hand to open up the lips (labia) of the vagina, then put the squeezed ring into the vagina.
• Put your index or middle finger, or both, in the open end of the condom until the inner ring can be felt and push the condom as far up the vagina as possible, with the outer ring lying against the outside of the vagina.
• Make sure that the penis enters the condom and does not go between the condom and the wall of the vagina.
• The condom outer ring should rest closely on the outside of the vagina at all times. If the outer ring gets pushed inside the vagina, stop and put it back in the right place.
• Immediately after climax and withdrawal, slightly twist and pull the end of the condom to remove it, taking care not to spill any sperm inside the vagina (if this happens, contact us on 01582 560383 to discuss the risk and what should be done, e.g. emergency contraception or STI testing)