A new version of the female condom (FC) has been approved by the FDA. The FC will now be made of a nitrile polymer instead of polyurethane. The new condom is cheaper, softer, and less noisy which helps address some major barriers to female condom use.
Female condoms are a bit of a misnomer because the user doesn't have to be female; the receiving partner in anal sex can also use FCs to protect her or himself. See my old post (link below) on using the FC for more information on how to put one one.
FCs are a great alternative option (to "male condoms") because the receiving partner can insert the FC herself/himself, which gives them an option to still use condoms when the insertive partner doesn't want to put a condom on himself. It sounds odd, but clients of sex workers (for example) who are unwilling to put a condom on themselves can be less resistent to the FC. "I don't want to put on a condom, but I don't care if you put one on yourself."
Female condoms are a bit of a misnomer because the user doesn't have to be female; the receiving partner in anal sex can also use FCs to protect her or himself. See my old post (link below) on using the FC for more information on how to put one one.
FCs are a great alternative option (to "male condoms") because the receiving partner can insert the FC herself/himself, which gives them an option to still use condoms when the insertive partner doesn't want to put a condom on himself. It sounds odd, but clients of sex workers (for example) who are unwilling to put a condom on themselves can be less resistent to the FC. "I don't want to put on a condom, but I don't care if you put one on yourself."
I remember first hearing about the female condom when it was first introduced in Europe in 1992. It seemed fate that I'd be in this business because my class was visited by the school nurse to get our annual sex education class. I had questions about how the female condom was supposed to be properly inserted and the school nurse had never heard of that option.
It was only in 1993 when female condoms were approved for use in the US by the FDA. Outside of family planning and other health clinics, I really haven't see the female condom be distributed here. Hopefully with this decrease in price, more commercial outlets will begin carrying the female condom.
Slate Article on the new Female Condom.
The maker of the female condom, the Female Health Company
From my How-to post on safe(r) sex How to use a female condom for vaginal or anal sex
History of the female condom
Population Services International (PSI) on use of female (insertive) condoms for men who have sex with men
Slate Article on the new Female Condom.
The maker of the female condom, the Female Health Company
From my How-to post on safe(r) sex How to use a female condom for vaginal or anal sex
History of the female condom
Population Services International (PSI) on use of female (insertive) condoms for men who have sex with men
Picture via Flickr
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