5 Things You Didn’t Know About Female Condoms

Langton Ziromba promotes female condoms in the casual and friendly space of his barbershop. / UNFPA

Since the first female condom hit global markets in 1992, the female condom has become more effective, more comfortable, and more accessible. Today, a variety of female condom products are sold worldwide, including the FC2, the Cupid, and the Women’s Condom. With more options for keeping yourself and your partner protected from HIV and STIs, there’s a lot to celebrate this Global Female Condom Day.

New packaging released for FC2. / The Female Health Company.

While the female condom has come a long way in user acceptability, user rates are still below targets needed to achieve an AIDS-free generation and prevent HIV and STI transmission among people of all genders. As awareness about the multipurpose protection benefits of the female condom grows, global demand is increasing.

In honor of Global Female Condom Day, read and share these five facts about female condoms, and help ensure that we continue celebrating successes in advancing sexual and reproductive health for all.

1. Best Multi-purpose Protection: According to research, the FC2 can be 97 percent effective in reducing risk of sexual transmission of HIV. The female condom is also approximately 80 percent effective in preventing  pregnancy. As a multi-pronged protection method, the female condom can transform women’s sexual and reproductive health lives and provide them with a means of taking control over their health, especially in circumstances where their choices are limited.

2. Global Appeal: The United States Government through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is one of the largest procurers of female condoms worldwide. In 2003, PEPFAR supplied roughly 1.1 million female condoms worldwide. By 2009, global shipments had increased to almost 15 million per year. In 2012, a record 32 million female condoms were distributed in total by the international donor community. Today, the female condom is available in over 100 countries.

3. Becoming More Popular: In the past, many have been reluctant to use the FC2, or other female condom styles, claiming they feel unnatural. Subsequent designs made of latex can offer a natural feel for male partners.

4. Easy To Use: Female condoms can be inserted up to 8 hours prior to sex, giving people even more control over their bodies. For detailed instructions on proper usage, see here.

5. They Keep Getting Better!: In 2013, the Gates Foundation launched a $1 million award to create the next generation of more user-friendly condoms. Among the 11 proposed designs, is a new female condom infused with air that would be faster and easier to insert. Other innovations include the 100 percent silicone Origami female that is made of a single accordion-like piece that can be washed and reused. Several of these promising designs are set to reach the market in 2015.