What Is a Female Condom? Uses, Benefits, and How It Works

What is a female condom?

The female condom is like a normal condom, which gives you sexual protection. Although they are still not very popular, female condoms are slowly gaining acceptance among Indian women.

Female condoms are an alternative to regular condoms that provide nearly equal protection against pregnancy and STDs. The difference between the regular condom and the female condom is that instead of being worn on the penis, these condoms are inserted into the vagina to prevent pregnancy and protect against STDs. Female condoms are also called internal condoms.

It is not easy for Indian women to buy female condoms due to the limited demand for this product. Only a handful of manufacturers make this product and its distribution is not as mainstream as male condoms. Annual production of male condoms is 500 times higher than that of female condoms.

How the female condom works:

This condom used by women is also called an "internal condom". Made of soft plastic, this condom is inserted inside the vagina. The female condom covers the inside of the vagina and prevents the male sperm from reaching the fertilized egg inside the female.

The female condom is not only a way to prevent unwanted pregnancy, but its use also reduces the chance of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

Benefits of female condoms:

The female condom has many benefits. Preventing pregnancy and providing protection against STDs are considered to be the biggest benefits of the female condom. Female condoms are made of a soft plastic material called nitrile, which makes them completely hypoallergenic (hypoallergenic: non-allergenic). The female condom does not cause any problems on the sensitive skin of the genitals.

Its other benefits are detailed below.

Female condoms are safe and comfortable.
Controlled by women.
Can also be used during periods.
You can put it in the vagina 8 hours before intercourse.
You can still use it if you have skin allergies.
You can use it with water or silicone-based lubricants.
Its use does not affect the hormones of women.
Female condoms cover a larger area than male condoms. It also prevents diseases related to the labia (inner part of the vagina), Perineum (the part between the vagina and the anus), and the lower part of the penis.
Female condoms reduce the risk of HPV infection and herpes.