The female condom has been available in the US , the UK and parts of Europe since the early 1990s. In the year 2000, FPA Health introduced the female condom to women in Australia for the first time.

The female condom is a strong, soft and transparent polyurethane sheath inserted in the vagina before sex, providing protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It protects the vagina, cervix and external genitalia.

The female condom is a reversible, barrier method of contraception that extends the choice of contraceptive methods available and provides significant protection from the risk of pregnancy and from sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

It is stronger than latex, odourless and causes no known allergic reactions and, unlike latex, may be used with both water and oil-based lubricants. It can be inserted prior to sex, is not dependent on a male erection, and does not require immediate withdrawal after ejaculation.

It comes pre-lubricated for ease of insertion and for easy movement during sex. It is not tight or constricting. It does not require a prescription or the intervention of a healthcare worker.

How does it work?
The female condom lines the vagina providing protection from sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy. It can be inserted several hours before sex, so it won't interrupt sexual spontaneity.

Who can use the female condom?
Women and men of all ages can use the female condom. It is particularly attractive to:

people who are allergic to latex.

The female condom has been widely studied and results show that it is effective as a contraceptive method and as a barrier to sexually transmitted infections.

The female condom gives women increased access to safe and effective means of fertility control as well as increased options for the prevention of sexually transmissible infections, including HIV.

Because of economic, social and gender inequalities, women have not always been able to get their partners to use male condoms. In addition women, once engaged in a sexual situation, may have less power than men to say no to unsafe sex. They may have difficulty initiating discussion about condom use, may fear loss of a relationship, economic abandonment or domestic violence resulting from a request for condom use. Therefore, negotiating consistent condom use has not always been feasible for many women.

Although the female condom requires some degree of partner co-operation, its use is controlled by the woman. The primary purpose for developing and marketing the female condom has been to provide women with a method that does not require partner initiative, yet still protects against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. While women's options regarding safe sex have been quite limited, expanding the range of women's prevention options may substantially improve their chances of avoiding a sexually transmitted infection and unintended pregnancies.