Female Condoms. To the majority of us, this is a novel idea. Half of us may not even be conscious that such a thing exists, but it does, ladies! Let us clarify what it is for those of you who don't know, Female condoms (also called internal condoms or Femidoms) are used to avoid STIs like HIV and pregnancy during sexual intercourse. They can also be used to defend against STIs within the anus. In developed countries, an estimated 222 million women choose to avoid pregnancy but don't use contraceptives. What is the explanation for this? Fear of side effects or infrequent sex is two of the most common complaints, all of which may be resolved by female condoms, which are hormone-free and can be used only when necessary. The female condom is the only woman-initiated method that provides “dual protection” from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and it has the possibility to fill a gap in the market. Female condoms have the potential to place the power of safety in the hands of women right now. They are, after all, intended to be worn by women but it takes two to tango, and studies reveal that female condoms are favoured by men too. Some men enjoy the ability to share dual security responsibilities and not always have to be condom-wearing partner.
Do you know PATH, the Universal Access to Female Condoms Joint Programme, the National Female Condom Coalition, and the Center for Health and Gender Equity founded Global Female Condom Day (GFCD) in 2012 to commemorate the female condom?
Condoms aren't particularly common in India, let alone female condoms. It may be due to a lack of awareness or simply because people are unconcerned. Studies from 20017 stated that the male condom market in India was worth two billion pieces per year and experts predicted that the female condom market will grow to at least 3% of that in the next three years. Even so, more than half of our population is unaware of the existence of female condoms. And if they are aware of it, they do not use it. Although researchers looked at the social acceptance of female condoms in urban India with a focus on sexual satisfaction and found that some couples initially had issues with condom use, they later confessed to enjoying it and claiming it was more pleasurable.
Female condoms have always been needed, according to health experts, particularly among sex workers, for whom they are not only a way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases but also a weapon of empowerment.
A female condom is placed inside the vagina or anus to provide a shield between the body and bodily fluids and sperm. They are made of nitrile, a soft plastic material. Despite the fact that these are referred to as female condoms, they can be used by people of either gender to protect themselves during anal sex. These condoms are also available online if you can't find them elsewhere. Female condoms come in a variety of styles and labels, including Femidom, Dominique, Care, Myfemy, Della, Elegance, etc. Perhaps one of the most "hotter" aspects of female condoms is that both women and men agree that they can improve intimacy and satisfaction. To avoid “ruining the moment” of putting on a condom, the female condom may be inserted prior to sex. And female condoms, unlike male condoms, do not need to be removed immediately after intercourse, allowing couples to remain in the moment. The failure rate for standard use of female condoms is 21%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source (CDC). That means there are 21 unintended pregnancies for every 100 women who use female condoms as their primary method of birth control each year. Female condoms are therefore only marginally less successful than male condoms. They have an 18% failure rate in terms of use.
If we mention the pros of female condoms, they will be as follows:
- Ease of use,
- Cost-effectiveness,
- No negative side effects,
- Unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) prevention,
- Usage does not necessitate a male erection,
- Increased sexual arousal because it doesn't contain latex.
So, the question remains, How do we use a Female Condom?
Female condoms, while intimidating at first, are simple to use with a little practice. Let us take you step by step through the process:
- To avoid tearing, carefully open and remove the female condom from the box/package.
- The thick inner ring with the closed end is used to put the condom in the vaginal canal and keeps it in position. The thin outer ring, which covers the vaginal opening, remains outside of the body.
- Take a seat in a place that is comfortable for you. Squeeze the sides of the inner ring together with your thumb and forefinger when holding the condom at the closed end and insert it into the vagina. It's a lot like putting a tampon in.
- Push the inner ring up as far as it will go with your finger until it rests against the cervix. You will not notice the condom expanding naturally.
- Make certain the condom is not bent and the thin outer ring should be left outside the vaginal opening.
- Help your partner open a female condom by guiding his penis into the opening. If you feel his penis slipping between the condom and the vaginal walls, or if the outer ring is pulled into the vagina, stop having sex.
- Gently twist the outer ring and pull it out of the vaginal opening to remove it
- After one use, toss the female condom in the garbage. Don't use it again.
When something new rises to the surface, it brings with it a slew of myths. People projecting their doubts and insecurities onto them are the origins of these myths.
Let's dispel those female condom myths. Shall we?
- No, it cannot get lost inside you. People seem to think everything can get lost up there. The internal ring locks it inside the vagina and thus there are 0 chances it will travel up and get lost.
- It is made up of synthetic rubbers so people with latex allergies can calm down.
- It is easy to use. If you can put in a Tampon, this would be a piece of cake for you.
Before you use a female condom, there are a few things you should bear in mind:
- Check the expiration date on the condom box cover.
- Don't make the mistake of doubling up! Using an internal condom and an external (male) condom at the same obviously doesn't make sex safe. Instead, it induces pressure, which can cause the condom to tear.
- Carefully remove the condom from the box to avoid tearing it - don't use your teeth or blades, and avoid sharp fingernails or jewellery.
- Keep the condoms in a convenient spot (such as your purse or next to your bed), but not in a pocket or anywhere else where they could become hot, crumpled, or destroyed.
- To keep the condom from slipping and tearing use lubricant.
- Female condoms should not be flushed because they can clog the toilet.
Condoms for women are easy to use. Nonetheless, some women find them inconvenient to insert and wear during sex. You'll probably find them simpler and more relaxed to use with a little practice and familiarity To avoid accidental pregnancy and the spread of STIs, you must use them correctly and regularly, just like male condoms.
So, ladies, what are you waiting for? Go for it!
Image Source: Google Photos