Playin' It Safe

Female Condom

What is a female condom?

A female condom is a soft polyurethane (plastic) sheath, which lines the vagina and stops sperm entering. If used according to the instructions, this method is 95% effective.

What are the advantages?

  • Female condoms can be inserted any time before sex
  • Condoms help reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV
  • There are no medical side effects using condoms

What are the disadvantages?

  • Inserting it can interrupt sex
  • Need to make sure the man's penis enters the condom and not between the vagina and the condom