Women have always depended on male condoms to avoid STDs and unwanted pregnancy. However, with the innovation of female condoms, this dependency is slowly reducing as women are taking charge of their sexual life with keeping safety, pleasure, and comfort in mind.
Women are largely dependent on their male partners for contraception. For heterosexual couples all over the world, the male condom is the most accessible, affordable, and easy to use contraceptive method.
Even as science has advanced with new contraceptive methods, women are hesitant to use it or their mindset and behaviour are not open to changing the mode of contraception.
Intrauterine Devices can cause infection and lead to health complications. Emergency contraceptive pills and regular birth control pills cause mood swings and hormonal imbalances. Also, neither of the two methods of contraception provide protection against STI or STDs. This leads to more dependency on the male partner to wear a condom.
Most men in a monogamous relationship find it uncomfortable to wear condoms as they feel it does not give pleasure. The pull-out method still has risks and can lead to unwanted pregnancy.
So how can women take charge of their contraception with so many limitations?
Well, there are always female condoms to use. It is a plastic pouch that is inserted into the vaginal opening to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies. The product has flexible rings on both ends for it to be placed in a stable manner inside the vaginal walls.
The female condoms need to be stored in a cool dry place. During intercourse, it is better not to use a male condom, if a female condom is in place as it may cause tearing.
How to wear a female condom?
If you are familiar with wearing a tampon, menstrual disc, or a menstrual cup, then the process of wearing a female condom will be much easier.
Here are the steps approved by CDC for wearing a female condom, let us look at it :
1) Open the condom packet carefully to avoid tearing
2) Know that thick and inner ring is used for placing inside the vagina
3) Find a comfortable position to insert the female condom
4) Put some lubricant on the inner ring
5) Squeeze the close end of the female condom far into the vaginal opening with your finger. Once it enters the cervix, the condom will automatically open.
6) After usage, throw the condom away. Do not reuse it under any circumstances
Female condoms are also useful not just for vaginal sex but anal sex amongst homosexual male couples.
Even with the innovation of female condoms, women do not use them. First, because it is a social taboo and awareness about its efficacy is needed. Second, the pink tax makes the female condom be only purchased by the elite group of women. Therefore, it becomes a luxury product. And, lastly, the issue of accessibility is there.
Thankfully, fem-hygiene brands and start-ups are rising in the market and some of them are even producing home-grown female condoms. This is slowly solving the accessibility issue of female condoms in India.
Let us look at the top 3 brands producing female condoms
1) Cupid Angel
The female condoms of the brands are electronically tested for meeting safety standards.
The brand also uses natural latex with a thin loose sheet to hold the semen during intercourse
2) Peesafe’s Domina
The female condom brand produces condoms that have lavender fragrances. The female condoms are made with natural latex and have lubrication with a width of 75+/-2 mm.
The condoms come with disposable bags.
3) Velvet
The brand’s female condoms are velvety in nature and provide pleasure during coitus to the user. The condom has good elasticity and can be inserted 8 hours before intercourse.
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