A condom is the best friend of unmarried couples who are looking to avoid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Interestingly, in many relationships, the decision to use or not to use a condom is left for the man because most people are only familiar with the male condom – which has been proven to be 98% effective if used rightly.
What many women do not know is that they could use a female condom (FC) as easily and as effectively as the male condom…and they should, because they are more at risk of diseases and pregnancies when they have unprotected sex.
Basically, the female condoms are soft, transparent tubular sheaths – for use, they are inserted into the vagina before intercourse.
It has a closed end that allows for easy insertion and a softer ring that remains outside the vagina.
It is advisable that women also have female condoms on the ready for times when the man may say he forgot to bring a condom because safe sex is the best sex.
About.com discusses how to use the female condom in some very easy steps:
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Always check for the expiry date and discard if it has expired.
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Open the package and locate the closed end of the condom. Hold the inner ring at the closed end of the condom, and squeeze it together in the middle, forming a figure eight with the ring.
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Put spermicide or lubricant on the outside of the closed end. Using spermicides along with the female condom can further reduce your risk of pregnancy. Though the female condom will already be lubricated, extra lubricant can make it easier to insert and use the condom.
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Insert the ring. Most women will do it lying on their back, squatting, or standing with one foot on a chair.
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With your free hand, spread open the outer vaginal lips.
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Holding the inner ring, push the ring up into the vagina as far as possible, past the pubic bone and covering the cervix.
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Insert index or middle finger into FC, to insure it is in place. About one inch of the condom, including the outer ring will remain outside your body.
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Once the penis enters the vagina this slack will decrease. However the outer ring should remain outside the vagina protecting the external genitalia.
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Be careful not to let the penis push the outer ring into the vagina. Also be sure that the penis enters the vagina in the condom and not on the side between the condom and the vaginal wall. If either of these happens, stop sex play immediately and readjust the ring.
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To take out the female condom, hold the outer ring and twist before you pull out. This will keep any fluid (semen) inside the ring.
As a woman, you must ensure that you are also protected and having a female condom handily is a step in the direction.
It is important to note that the female condom cannot be reused.
