The Female Condom
Condoms for females have been around for quite some time, though in
some instances they seemed to have not caught on, currently they are
making a comeback. Very effective against both pregnancy and sexually
transmittable diseases, many are discovering they allow for a greater
sensitivity during lovemaking as opposed to the traditional male condom.
This method of contraception does not restrict the penis but lines the
inside walls of the vagina, allowing you and your partner a sense of
relaxation not usually found in the use of condoms.
 There are several advantages in using the female condom. They allow
the female to take more of an active role in practicing safe sex. If the
male refuses to use the male condom, then the female has the option to
use the female condom, thus continuing to protect herself from STD’s and
possible pregnancy. Specific condoms are designed to be inserted up to 8
hours before intercourse, giving the female the privacy she may need in
order to insert the condom in a relaxed and correct way, allowing for
the moment to be spontaneous and uncomplicated. Perhaps the best
female condom to purchase is the one made of polyurethane as many women
are allergic to latex which also requires a water based lubricant.
Polyurethane does not break down no matter the lubricant and shows a
very low risk for allergic reaction in most women. Storage is not an
issue as these materials are not affected by temperatures or moisture.
Another plus of using polyurethane condom is the material is super thin
and transmits heat with no risk to the material. In this way, heighten
sensitivity can be achieved.
There are a few disadvantages to consider. These include the fact
that the outer ring of the condom is visible, which could make the
female self conscious and the male uncomfortable. The polyurethane
material can be noisy but this is reduced with the right amount of
lubricant. For some women, inserting the condom and then removing it may
be too difficult to consider a viable option of protection. There are
other contraceptive methods that rank higher in preventing pregnancy
than the female condom does. The female condom is more expensive than
its counterpart and, though it is available in Australia, it is not
available worldwide. It should only be used once and then disposed of.
There is no good way to sterilize the material and use again, as the
material may store bacteria.
Female condoms are not recommended for anal sex. It is difficult to
use in this particular situation and may not protect you from STD’s if
broken. The standard male condom is recommended for this activity. Many
government agencies worldwide support the female condom and distribute
them freely. Women are thought to be more open to using the condom and
protecting their health and welfare as compared to their partner’s
ability to accept responsibility. Third world countries affected by the
HIV virus are especially supportive of their use and of condom use in
general.
|
