Introduction
While most of you might be thinking that condoms are only for men, this isn’t the case. There are female condoms too. And in this article, we are going to talk about it and how does it work. It's vital to understand it as a woman and also as a man.
What is a female condom?
A female condom like its male counterpart is used for avoiding pregnancy and transmission of STDs. It, unlike male condoms, is inserted inside the vagina and its opening stays outside.
However, they can be used while having anal sex as a woman too.
Unlike male condoms which were in use for centuries, female condoms are comparatively a recent invention (late 19th century to be exact). The feminist movement played a major role in their development as it wanted women to have equal rights as men.
Interestingly, female condoms are costly than male condoms.
How does female condom work?
It works similarly to that of male condoms. They prevent the exchange of bodily fluids as they act as a barrier and also prevent pregnancy as they don’t allow the semen to go ahead while having vaginal sex.
They perform the same function when a couple decides to go for anal sex. (One must remember that condoms must be used while having anal sex).
Why should I as a woman start using female condoms?
Well, there are a lot of reasons. Firstly, using them empowers you since you get control over your body. Also, they are useful in case your partner is outrightly refusing to use protection.
Remember, having unprotected sex is dangerous not only because you can pregnant, but you can get infected with STDs or STIs as well.
Another thing is that they improve the pleasure of your partner so you can try using them and then ask him for feedback. In case they have improved his pleasure, you can keep using them.
One thing which you must pay attention to is to follow the instruction given on the condom packet properly as incorrectly inserting the condommight increase the chances of condom failure.
Also, check the condom before using it. Since there can be a manufacturing defect. Taking these precautions may sound tiresome but not taking them can cause a lot of trouble for you.
What are some more precautions which should be taken while using them?
Some additional precautions besides which we have mentioned before are:
- Don’t let the condom slip out of the vagina while having sex. You need to be careful about it since if it happens and you both are in full swing; you won’t notice and bodily fluids will get exchanged and you can also get pregnant.
- Ask your partner to be careful while penetrating as if he doesn’t and inserts his penis outside the condom and in the vagina, it won’t end well. This is one of the major reasons why female condoms fail more often.
If you follow these precautions along with the ones we talked about before, you will be safe and sound.
What should I do if my condom has failed?
Immediately visit a doctor and get tested for STDs and STIs. Also, a pregnancy test is a must.
Are female condoms a better option than male ones while having sex as a couple?
Well, as per statistical data, they do have a high failure rate (6% more than male condoms) which implies that they are inferior as compared to male condoms. Some women have also reported discomfort while using them. But, in case you have no other option of protection, you should use them for your safety.
If you are from an economically weaker background, then male condoms are a better choice for you since female condoms are somewhat expensive.
Can we as a couple use female and male condoms together?
This might sound like a great idea but it is not. If you try to use these two together, the friction between them can break them and cause them to fail, and make you vulnerable to pregnancy and STDs. They can also stick together as well causing more troubles.
If you have more doubts like these then do ask them to a medical professional or physician or a doctor.
Conclusion
We have tried our best to talk about what female condoms are, how they work, their benefits, and some of their shortcomings. If you are a woman, you should always keep some female condoms with you. They might come in handy in case your partner is refusing to use protection.
Couples who understand each other should try both male and female condoms (not at the same time) and take feedback from one another about what they felt. You can go with a choice which is the most pleasurable.
