Time to promote female condom

THE FC2 female condom is a strong, soft transparent sheath which lines the woman’s birth canal to create a barrier against sperm and sexually transmitted infection. It is made of thin material called nitrile. A ring at the closed end is used for insertion and helps to maintain the device at the upper end of the woman’s birth canal. A larger and thinner outer ring remains outside the woman’s birth canal when the condom is inserted, and anchors the condom so that the sheath covers the external genitalia as well as the base of the male sex organ during intercourse.

It is pre-lubricated with silicone uid. The FC2 female condom is a single use disposable device and is not bio-degradable. It is inserted manually into the woman’s birth canal up to three hours before love making. However, most women insert it 2- 20 minutes before love making.

Who can use the FC2 female condom?

Female Condoms can be used by men and women of reproductive ages including those who have menopaused. It is particularly useful to sexually active women who want to protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections including HIV and unintended pregnancies; such as:

● All men and women who do not know their HIV status or that of their sex partners including married women.

● Men and women who are HIV positive.

● Women whose partners will not use rubber (latex condoms).

● Men and women with multiple partners or whose partners have other sex partners.

● Men and women who want a method that protects them from both STI and pregnancy.

● Women who experience side e ects from hormonal contraceptives.

● Discordant couples.

● Women who are pregnant, or have recently given birth and breast feeding women to prevent passing on HIV to the baby.

● FC2 can be used by both, married or single women.

● Men and women who choose to have sex during menstruation.

● Women who have had a removal of the womb (hysterectomy).

● All sexually active men and women who are HIV negative or HIV positive.

● Women may choose the FC2 female condom when they require backup barrier contraception during the post-partum period or even during pregnancy.

Benefits of the FC2 female condom

● Protects against both unintended pregnancy and STI, including HIV.

● Men in Zimbabwe liked it because it is not constricting on their sexual organs.

● Provides extra protection against STI by covering the women’s external genitalia and the base of the male reproductive organs.

● FC2 can be inserted a few hours or minutes before sex and therefore does not interrupt the spontaneity of sex.

● Does not require an immediate withdrawal after sex thus enhances sexual pleasure and intimacy.

● It is made of material that warms up to the body temperature thereby making sex as natural as possible.

● FC2 comes lubricated with non-spermicidal silicone based lubricant allowing easier insertion.

● FC2 rarely causes allergic reactions and is a suitable option for men and women who are sensitive to latex (rubber).

● FC2 does not need to be prescribed or tted by a health care provider.

● It is odourless.

Tips on female condom use

● It must be used correctly every time one has sex, and can only be used once.

● It prevents HIV, STIs and pregnancy.

● It cannot get stuck or lost inside the womb.

● It gets easier to use with practice.

● It is visible and the partner can see it and feel it. For this reason it is recommended that one discusses the use of the female condom with one's partner.

● Many women and men who have tried the FC2 female condom like it, some even prefer it to the male condom.

● Do not dispose the FC2 female condom in a ash toilet.