When it comes to buying contraception, the regular male condom tends to take centre stage when you're browsing around supermarkets, pharmacies and online retailers - less talked about, however, is the female condom.
Visually akin to an over-sized male condom, female condoms or femidoms are a form of barrier contraception that often gets overlooked, despite the fact they serve the exact same purpose(preventing STIs and unwanted pregnancy) as an ordinary condom. What a lot of sceptics don't realise is that they're actually very straightforward to use, requiring only a few simple steps to get right. So if you're unfamiliar with the femidom, SHD will guide you through everything you need to know before you try one on yourself!
How Do I Use One?
#1. First of all, check the expiry date if you're about to use a female condom for the first time, opening it carefully with your fingers and not your teeth! Although female condoms are pre-lubricated just like the male alternative, you can add more lube for comfort if you wish.
#2. Get relaxed - similar to putting in a tampon, either sit upright with your legs apart or in a squatting position. Take your femidom, push together the inner ring and slide it carefully into the vagina with your fingers inside the condom itself. Make sure it goes all the way up to the cervix and then pull out your fingers carefully and let the outer ring hang about an inch outside the vagina. The femidom should not be twisted or distorted when inside so make sure to take care upon insertion.
#3. When guiding your partner's penis, use your fingers to keep the outer ring pressed against your body to make sure that it doesn't end up missing the entrance of the condom upon insertion.
#4. During sex the femidom won't stay completely still, but if the condom slips out make sure you gently reinsert it providing your partner hasn't ejaculated. Make sure you stop if the outer ring gets pushed inside the vagina and carefully return it to the correct position.
SHD supply Pasante Female Condoms, providing superior sensitivity, heat transfer and manufactured from a non-latex material.
Removing A Female Condom
Post sex, simply twist the outer ring to keep the semen contained within the condom and slowly remove from either the vagina or anus. Please note that female condoms are not reusable and shouldn't be disposed of in the toilet, so be sure to throw it in the bin after use.
Female condoms have a 95% effectiveness compared to male condom's 98%, if used correctly. Not only does this make them a very good alternative for women who actively want to take control of their own sexual health, but female condoms can be inserted up to 8 hours prior to sex, putting you at ease long before you enter the bedroom!
