IN recent years, several new methods of contraception have been introduced in the market. Women want methods which are reversible, have minimal side effects, do not need a doctor's advice to initiate, protect women not only from unwanted pregnancies but also from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and, most importantly, depend on women's initiative. Currently the only commonly available method to prevent the transmission of STDs and HIV from sexual intercourse is the male condom. This method is used relatively infrequently, because its use depends on male initiative. But now women have been provided the choice of a female condom.
The female condom is made of polyurethane, a material thinner and stronger than latex, the material generally used for the male condom. A small flexible plastic ring is used at the closed end for insertion by the woman and helps to keep the device in place. This inner ring is removable if the couple prefers to use the man's penis for insertion of the condom during intercourse. A larger and a thinner ring at the outer end of the condom stays outside the vagina and covers the external genitalia. It is a pre-lubricated and disposable method. It can be inserted manually into the vagina much before intercourse.
Advantages
- Polyurethane is a stronger material than latex and does not break easily. Temperature and humidity do not affect the female condom as much as they do the male condom, so the effective lifespan of the female condom during storage is longer.
- It provides a more effective barrier against HIV and STDs than the male condom because it covers the cervix, vagina and the vulva.
- Its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy is comparable to other barrier methods. If used correctly, clinical surveys indicate that its effectiveness could be as high as 95-97 percent.1
- It has no known harmful side effects and does not cause irritation to the vagina.
- It provides women with a viable alternative to the male condom
when men are out of condoms, too drunk to get them on, only have
outdated condoms, and otherwise will not, or cannot, use them.
- It is too expensive: a single condom costs about three dollars in the USA which amounts to more than Rs 100 in India. Since it can only be used once, the cost is likely to prove prohibitive for most women.
- The penis can enter the vagina outside the female condom or push the whole condom inside the vagina.2
- There are complaints that it is too squeaky.
- The internal ring might be painful for both partners.
- Some people find it distasteful because it resembles a plastic bag.
- It may be embarrassing to use, especially in a new
relationship, since its preplacement reveals forethought.
The female condom is currently available through the private and the public sectors in Korea, South Africa, Thailand, the USA and many countries of Western Europe. A package of informative materials necessary for the appropriate introduction of the female condom is being developed by agencies including UNAIDS, HRP, FHI, PSI and IIPF. This package will be made available to all interested governments and NGOs.
Some women who have multiple sexual partners, especially prostitutes, may prefer this method to other barrier methods because they might be more susceptible to STDs. But a recent study conducted by UNAIDS in Thailand revealed that almost all women who have regular partners find this method impractical to use. It is unlikely that the female condom will become a popular method of birth control. However, it is an important additional option that is attempting to help women prevent unwanted pregnancies and STDs. It could become more viable, if it became inexpensive and further improvements were made in it to make its use more convenient.
- WHO, The Female Condom; Fact Sheet, Special Programme of Research in Human Reproduction, 1996
- The probability of this was not mentioned in the sources that we used.
Sulagna Mishra
Manushi, Issue 99
