Contraception - female (internal) condoms

What are condoms?

Condoms are an effective form of

contraception

. Their job is to act as a ‘barrier’ by stopping sperm and other body fluids from entering the vagina, mouth or anus. They are used to prevent

pregnancy

and

sexually transmissible infections (STIs)

Other forms of barrier contraception include:

male (external) condoms

diaphragms

What is a female (internal) condom?

A female (internal) condom (or femidom) looks a little like a

male (external) condom

. Unlike external condoms, they come in one size.

Their soft pouch is made of nitrile (synthetic rubber). It has flexible rings at each end, and one end is closed. It is inserted into the vagina or anus before having sex.

How female (internal) condoms work

Female (internal) condoms work as a barrier against

pregnancy

and

STIs

. They stop ejaculate (cum) from entering the vagina or anus.

Female (internal) condoms are also used for

safer sex

because they block the exchange of body fluids during any form of sexual contact. This includes anal,

oral

, vaginal, some skin-to-skin contact and sharing of sex toys).

To prevent STIs use a new condom each time you have sex and when switching to a different kind of sex (such as from anal to vaginal).

How effective are female (internal) condoms?

If used correctly, every time you have sex, female condoms are 95% effective at preventing pregnancy.

However, mistakes may happen (such as the condom slips or breaks), their effectiveness at stopping you from getting pregnant reduces to 79%.

Female (internal) condoms can be used with other forms of contraception including:

the pill

the mini pill

intrauterine devices (IUD)

implants

injections

vaginal rings

If you are unsure which method of contraception and protection is best for you

talk to your GP (doctor)

or nurse

Potential problems with using female (internal) condoms

Female (internal) condoms might not work if they are:

used incorrectly – not inserted properly, break or slip

past their use-by date

torn when opening the packet

kept in the heat for a long time (such as a vehicle glove-box).

How to use a female (internal) condom

Always check the use-by date first.

If you are unsure how to use the condom, follow the instructions on the packet.

To avoid an

unplanned pregnancy

and

STIs

, put the condom on before the penis or sex toy touches the vagina or anus.

How to use female (internal) condoms:

Open the packet slowly, making sure not to tear the condom with anything sharp (such as jewellery, teeth or fingernails).

Once open, squeeze the closed end of the condom and insert it into the vagina or anus.

The opening of the condom spreads outside the vagina or anus and over part of the genital skin.

Guide the penis or sex toy into the condom making sure it does not slip under the condom. If the penis slips under the condom, there is no protection from pregnancy or STIs.

If the condom slips or bunches up when the penis goes inside, use more lubricant (lube). You can use internal (female) condoms with water, oil or silicone-based lubricants. Lube is a jelly or liquid-like material that and stop the condom from breaking and can make sex more enjoyable by reducing friction.

Female (internal) condoms are for single use only. Once a condom has been used, wrap it in a tissue and throw it into a bin (not down the toilet).

Be careful when taking the condom out. Gently twist the opening and slide it out of the vagina avoiding any spillage of body fluids.

If you use lubricant with sex toys (especially any made of silicone), check the product label – some lubes can damage sex toys and may increase your risk of STIs.

Do not use female (internal) condoms at the same time as male (external) condoms as they can move out of place.

Where to get female (internal) condoms and lubricant

Female (internal) condoms can be difficult to get and are more expensive than male (external) condoms. They are available at family planning clinics, sex shops, some pharmacies (chemists) and online.

Lubricant (lube) is available at supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores, petrol stations, sexual health clinics, community health and youth services.

Advantages of female (internal) condoms

Female (internal) condoms:

protect against sexually transmissible infections (STIs)

are easy to use

have little or no side effects

can be bought without a script

can be used with any type of lubrication

can be inserted hours before having sex

can be used after giving birth

can be inserted hours before having sex.

Potential health risks from female (internal) condoms

There are no known serious health risks from using female condoms.

In some people, they may cause irritation.

What to do if you have unsafe sex

If you have had

unprotected sex

or the condom breaks or slips:

Don’t douche (wash out the vagina or rectal areas with water or other fluids). It may irritate delicate tissues and increase the risk of infection.

You may need to take

emergency contraception

(known as the ‘morning after pill’) as soon as you can (up to 4 days is best, but it can occur no later than 5 days (120 hours). Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Or have a

non-hormonal (copper) IUD

surgically inserted within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex.

See your GP or sexual health clinic and get tested for STIs. STI checks a recommended at least annually for anyone who is sexually active.

If you think you may have been exposed to

HIV

, see your GP or call the Victorian PEP information line on

1800 889 887

to assess whether you need

post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

– a course of antiviral medication used to prevent HIV. It must be taken within 72 hours (4 days).

Information in community languages

The female condom (bilingual)

(PDF)

External Link

by Family Planning NSW, available from

Health Translations

Contraception - female (internal) condoms

Contraception - female (internal) condoms

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