Female Internal Condoms – “The Pros & The Cons”
The FC2 Female/internal condom has been available in Canada for over fifteen years. It is a great option to aid in the prevention of STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and unplanned pregnancies. Unfortunately, many people are still unaware of its benefits. Deciding whether the FC2 female (internal) condom should be added to your safer sex options is, as with all safer sex options, a personal journey. Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of using female condoms to help in your decision-making process. As well, there is a link at the end of blog that you can sign up for a free FC2 Workshop presented by Pamco and The Female Health Company!
Pros
There are many advantages to using the FC2 Condom including effectiveness and usability. The Female Health Company has compiled a list of 10 benefits, and we have summarized some of them for you below:
Effectiveness
Internal condoms have a high rate of protection against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as well as unplanned pregnancy. Due to the amount of sexually transmitted infections that exist today, it is incredibly important to ensure that you are protecting your health. And you can use an internal condom with an additional form of birth control, such as oral contraceptives, to significantly reduce the risk of an unplanned pregnancy.
Material
Internal condoms are made from non-latex materials called nitrile. With the increase in latex allergies and sensitivities, people can end up feeling extremely uncomfortable or even have severe allergic reactions to traditional latex condoms. Internal condoms can help to alleviate these concerns for individuals who experience issues with latex.
Lubricants
When using lubricants with traditional male condoms, oil-based lubricants can wear down the latex which can cause them to lose their effectiveness. When using internal condoms, you do not need to add additional lubricant, as they are pre-lubricated, but if you do want to add more, you are free to use water or oil-based lubricants without jeopardizing the effectiveness of the internal condom.
Preparation
Another great pro for internal condoms is that they can be inserted before you even know if intercourse is going to happen. This allows you to be prepared and avoid the awkward “do you have a condom” conversation. You can also take the time necessary to ensure that you have inserted the condom correctly which alleviates any concerns you may have when inserting condoms on the fly. You get to be in control of your safer sex options.
One Size
When using an internal condom there is no guessing as to what size you should get. Unlike male/external condoms that come in numerous different sizes and require a significant amount of trial and error to find the closest size for the most optimal comfort, female condoms come in one size and are relatively comfortable.
The Ring
One of the biggest complaints about male/external condoms is the fact that they can be uncomfortable. This usually has to do with the ring on the condom fitting too tightly. The ring on an internal condom is said to have the opposite effect. In the area that it is inserted it can provide the individual wearing it with extra stimulation.
-
In stock$75.00 -
In stock$28.00
Cons
As you can see there are many benefits to using a female condom, from their materials to the control they give the user, and many more that have not been discussed in this blog. However, as with all forms of contraceptives, we need to look at all aspects:
User Error
When a Female condom has been inserted incorrectly, they have a higher chance of slipping out of place during sex. It is incredibly important that you take the time and learn to insert them correctly to help reduce the risk of misplacement.
Protection Rate
Although they do have a higher effectiveness rate than some other forms of birth control (95%), no contraceptive or barrier is ever 100% effective. As will all condoms, read all the instructions thoroughly before using.
Noise
When inserted some folks worry that they may be a little noisy. If concerned, use additional lubricant, or insert them earlier – this allows the condom to warm up to body temperature reducing the worry of noise. But the switch from polyurethane in the original Female Condom to nitrile has eradicated this issue as well.
Cost
In comparison to the pricing of male condoms, female condoms are typically more expensive. However the cost needs to be weighed with the many benefits that are associated with the FC2.
Conclusion
Now that you have had the ability to review the pros and cons of female/, if you’re interested, we recommend that you try them to see if they fit your needs. There is a plethora of resources available to you. Have a chat with your healthcare provider if you have any additional questions. Or better yet, sign up for a free FC2 workshop presented by Pamco and The Female Health Company
Click one of the links to attend our FREE digital training on the FC2 Female (Internal) Condom presented by the Female Health Company, in partnership with Pamco. We are offering three unique options for this complimentary training and invite you to register in advance for the meeting that is most relevant to your scope of work, language, and the communities you serve. If you missed the session dates below, simply reach out to Laura at info@pamco.ca to receive a link to the recorded version:
Preventing STIs, HIV & Unintended Pregnancy with the FC2
- Register here for training in English on Monday March 16
- Register here for training for Indigenous communities on Monday March 30
- Inscrivez-vous pour la formation en Francais on Monday April 13
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Finding a birth control method that works best for you is imperative for both your safety and your pleasure. Feel free to check out our product page at Pamco Distributing where we offer starter packs and other additional products to help with your decision-making process.
FC2 FAQs
No. However, if you experience noise during sex and it bothers you, you can add extra lubricant.
No. Reuse of any condom is not recommended – external or internal. A new condom should be used every time you have intercourse.
- Yes: FC2 Female Condom can be used with the pill, injections, IUD contraceptives, post-sterilization and post-vasectomy to protect against STIs, including HIV.
- No: FC2 cannot be used with the diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge, or NuvaRing® as the inner ring of FC2 fits into the same place at the cervix.
No. If the FC2 gets pushed all the way into the vagina, just relax, insert your finger into the vaginal opening, locate the ring, and pull the FC2 out. Throw out the FC2 that was pushed inside the vagina, open a new FC2, and try again. The FC2 remains in the vagina during use.
It is important that the penis is guided into the center of FC2 and not between the vaginal wall and the outer side of FC2. If the penis does enter incorrectly, STOP and start over, with additional lubrication, if necessary.
STOP. Remove FC2. Insert a new female condom according to the directions.
FC2 Condom is inserted correctly when the inner ring is pushed past the pubic bone. The outer ring and part of the condom is flat around the opening of the vagina, covering the external genitalia. You can check that the condom is in place by inserting your index or middle finger into the vagina past the pubic bone. You can feel your pubic bone by curving your index or middle finger when it is a couple of inches inside your vagina. You should be able to feel that the inner ring is past the pubic bone on the front wall of the vagina.
FC2 Female Condom® is similar in length to a male condom. However, it is wider than a male condom and therefore not constricting on the penis, which many men find pleasurable. Once inserted, it lines the walls of the vagina and allows for movement of the penis inside the sheath.
FC2 condom can be inserted in advance of sexual intercourse and does not need to be taken out immediately after intercourse. While most women insert FC2 between 2 and 20 minutes in advance, the FC2 Female Condom can actually be inserted up to 2 hours in advance.
Yes, FC2 Female Condom is latex-free and made of nitrile. Nitrile is thinner, but stronger, than latex.
No, as the friction caused by the two condoms can lead to tearing of either one or both of the condoms. Also, using one condom (male or female) provides equal protection to both partners. Never use more than one condom at a time.
FC2 Condoms are available through Pamco’s website on the retail page.
- FC2 is a strong, soft, nitrile sheath or pouch 17 cm (6.5 inches-the same as the male condom) in length. Nitrile polymer (non-latex), is thin and strong, and warms to body temperature.
- FC2 is made of a nitrile sheath and outer ring, and a polyurethane inner ring.
- FC2 contains a silicone-based lubricant but additional lubrication can be used. FC2 can be used with oil- and water-based lubricants. FC2 does not contain spermicidal additives, preservatives, paraben and is gluten free.
- The FC2 Female Condom is a proven non-hormonal, latex-free contraception device that offers dual protection.
- FC2 is a Class III Medical Device.
- FC2 is indicated for prevention of both unintended pregnancy and STIs (including HIV).
- The FC2 Female Condom is non-allergenic and contains no latex.