What you need to know about the Female Condom
Deciding whether female condoms are a conducive birth control option for you can be a quite a personal journey. In this blog we will outline some of the pros and cons of using female condoms to help in your decision-making process.
Pros
There are many advantages to using the FC2 Internal Condom (female condom) including effectiveness and usability. Veru Inc. has compiled a list of 10 benefits, and we have summarized 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 to significantly reduce the risk of and unplanned pregnancy.
Reimbursable
In some regions in the USA, depending on healthcare plans, internal condoms are reimbursable. Unlike the male condoms, your doctor can prescribe them to you in the USA. In Canada they are available through Pamco Distributing (www.pamco.ca) and at some pharmacies and retailors.
Material
Internal condoms are made from non-latex materials called nitrile. Due to sensitivities to latex, people can end up feeling extremely uncomfortable or even have severe allergic reactions to traditional latex condoms. Internal condoms are made from nitrile which alleviates any 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 additional lubricant as the amount that is in the packaging is enough, and 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.
One Size
When using an internal condom there is no guessing as to what size you should get. Unlike male 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 condoms is the fact that they are 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.
Cons
As you can see there are many benefits to using a female condom, from their anatomy to potential cost savings and many more that have not been discussed in this blog. However, as with all forms of contraceptives, there are some “disadvantages” that you should be aware of:
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.
Noise
When inserted some folks worry, they can 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 versus female condoms, female condoms are typically more expensive. However as previously mentioned in the advantages above, there are opportunities to be reimbursed for them in some regions.
Conclusion
Now that you have had the ability to review the pros and cons of female condoms, if you’re interested, we recommend that you try them 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. Finding a birth control method that works best for you is imperative.
Feel free to check out our product page, at Pamco Distributing Inc we have starter packs and other additional products to help your decision-making process.