Recent statistics from Health Canada indicate that there are currently 35,000 diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS in Canada, and an estimated 15,000 more individuals who are not yet aware of their infection. That's an estimated 1 in 500 Canadians with HIV.
Globally, the percentage of women diagnosed with HIV has risen sharply and continues to escalate. Since 1997 there has been a 20% increase in the number of women infected with HIV in Canada. UN studies also show that women and girls are 4 times more vulnerable to HIV infection from heterosexual sex than boys and men, with women generally infected at younger ages than men. Safe sex has never been more important.
The male condom is a well-known and popular birth control option for protecting against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV infection, but there is another option for those who would prefer using a woman-controlled method of contraception: the female condom.
The female condom is a thin, loose-fitting and flexible polyurethane plastic pouch that is designed to line the vaginal walls. Like the male condom, the female condom acts as a barrier between the exchange of male and female body fluids during intercourse. The female condom provides a protective sheath that prevents sperm from entering the vagina.
There are 2 flexible rings at either end of the female condom; the inner ring at the closed end allows the condom to be inserted into the vagina and keeps it snug in place over the cervix. The 2nd ring at the open end of the condom remains outside the vagina and covers and protects the labia (external genitals or lips). Think of it as a male condom in reverse: covering the female genitals (like an open pouch or sack) rather than enclosing the male genitals.
Most studies done on the female condom show that women are skeptical when it comes to this cumbersome looking contraption, but like it once they get used to it, and would recommend it to others. Regular users of the female condom prefer the increased protection it offers them and the fact that they, and not their male partners, can control its use.
Advantages for female condom use:
- Woman-controlled.
- Convenient: can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex.
- Safer: it covers both the vaginal walls (internal) and the labia (external genitals) and so offers more protection against STDs and HIV/AIDS.
- More durable: less likely to break since they are made of polyurethane that is 40% stronger than the common latex condoms for men.
- Versatile: can be used with both oil and water-based lubricants.
- Less decrease in sensation for men than with the male condom.
- Does not irritate those with latex allergies.
- Erection is not required to keep the condom in place.
Disadvantages for female condom use:
- Difficult to insert and remove properly at first. However, with practice the female condom becomes easy to use.
- May be noisy. Can make suction noises during intercourse.
- Expensive: significantly more expensive than male condoms and like male condoms, cannot be re-used but must be thrown away after each use.
- Ugly: most women do not like the look of the female condom that has little sex appeal.
- Hazards: may slip into the vagina during sex if it is not inserted properly. Also, the penis may slip around the side of the condom into the unprotected vagina if not used properly.
For more information on the female condom visit:
By Kathleen O'Grady
Director of Communications
Canadian Women's Health Network (CWHN)
Email: news@cwhn.ca
This article first appeared in Taloua magazine, Oct/Nov/Dec 2002.
