Female condom (Vaginal Patch)- a detailed medical study

PREPARED BY
MARTIN SHAJI
PHARM D
FEMALE
CONDOM
(VAGINAL
PATCH)-
A DETAILED MEDICAL
STUDY

The Female condom or vaginal pouch is an important contraceptive
option but should be preferably used three months after normal
delivery. Like the male condom, but unlike other barrier devices
female condom offers good protection against sexually transmitted
devices as well as pregnancy. The diaphragm and cervical caps shield
only the cervix against some types of infections and speny but vaginal
walls remain exposed and vulnerable to viruses & bacteria. The
female condom, however, completely covers the vagina as well as the
cervix. It is the only method controlled by the female partner that
offers a level protection similar to that of the male condom.
Introduction

The female condom is intended to serve a dual role, offering
protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection
(STI). It offers a potential alternative to the male condom, and
women may have more control over negotiating use of the
female condom than male condom. Many women consider the
female condom as a significant new alternative that woman
can use better protect themselves against HIV/STIS.
The female condom is an important new technology that can
play a vital part of reproductive health programmes and needs
to be introduced strategically to provide the greatest and cost-
effective public health impact.

Description:
Female condom is a strong, loose fitting, polyurethane sheath,
and 17cm long with a flexible ring at both ends. Polyurethane
is stronger than latex (used in male condoms) and conducts
heat. So using a female condom does not become a barrier to
the feelings and warmth, because it is a good conductor of
heat. In male condoms, latex is not as good a conductor as
polyurethane, so the transmission of heat is prevented.
Polyurethane is odorless. The outer ring of a female condom
covers the external genitalia, therefore protecting either labia
from infections during intercourse.

Types:
Reality, femidom, femy, Preservative Feminine, El Condom Feminine,
The Female condom and My Femy are all trades name for the female
condom, and the product specifications of all these names are
identical.
a) Reality Condom (The F.C. Female Condom): The FC Female
condom (Formerly Reality) is a soft, flexible, polyurethane pouch to
line the vagina. The pouch itself is strong and thin, Each end of the
pouch contains a firm but flexible ring. A free-floating inner ring aids
insertion and holds the device in place during intercourse. An
attached ring at the outer and holds the opening of the pouch
outside the vagina.

b) FC2 Female Condom: The ‘FC2 Female Condom’ is a
second-generation female condom developed by the Female
Health Company (FHC). It is based on the polyurethane. This
cost less as this is made from synthetic latex, which is softer
than polyurethane, and is assembled through a dipping
process.

c) The Ready Female Condom (VA Feminine Condom):
The Reddy Female condom is available in Germany. It is
marketed as V-Amour Women’s condom. This device is made
of latex and uses a soft, polyurethane sponge to hold it in
place inside the vagina. An outer ring anchors the Reddy
Female condom outside the vagina. It is the first latex female
condom.

d) Panty Condom: The Natural Sensation Panty condom is
made of a synthetic material that is thinner than latex, and
is shaped and worn like a woman’s panty with a built-in
condom.

e) PATH Woman’s Condom: Since 1998 PATH has been
developing a new female condom. The product consists of a
dissolving capsule intended to make insertion easier, a
polyurethane condom pouch, and a soft outer ring. Once
inserted, sections of urethane foam on the condom pouch
allow the condom to cling lightly to the vaginal walls so that
it does not move during use.

How to Use:
One should open the Female condom package carefully; tear at the
notch on the top right of the package.
One should not use scissors or a knife to open.
One should remember that the outer ring covers the area around the
opening of the vagina; the inner ring is used for insertion and to hold
the sheath in place during intercourse.
While holding the Female condom at the closed end one should grasp
the flexible inner ring and squeeze it with the thumb and second or
middle finger so it becomes long and narrow.

One can choose a position that is comfortable for insertion-squat,
raise one leg, sit or lie down. Gently insert the inner ring should be
inserted into the vagina and with the index finger on the inside of
the condom, the inner ring should be pushed, when woman are
ready, she should gently guide her partner’s penis into the
condom’s opening with her hand to make save that it enters
properly. She should be sure that the penis is not entering on the
side, between the sheath and the vaginal wall. Wrap the condom in
the package or in tissue, and throw it in the garbage. Do not put it
into the toilet.

It is important that the penis is guided into the center of
the female condom and not between the vaginal wall and
the outer side of the female condom. Diagrams and/or
anatomical models should be used to illustrate this
problem at introduction. Women and men should be
instructed that the penis must be guided to ensure no
errors occur. If the penis does enter incorrectly, the man
should withdraw his penis and the couple should start
over using the same female condom with additional
lubrication, if necessary.

The female condom comes pre-lubricated with a silicone-
base, non-spermicidal lubricant. This lubrication is necessary
to assist in the insertion of the device and to allow easy
movement during intercourse. The lubricant may make the
female condom a little slippery at first.
If the outer ring of the female condom gets pushed in or
pulled out of the vagina, more lubricant may be needed. Also,
if the female condom makes noise during sex, simply add
more lubricant.

The female condom can be used with both water-based
and oil-based lubricants, whereas male latex condoms
can only be used with water-based lubricants.
The female condom does not need to be removed
immediately after a man’s ejaculation, like the male condom.
But it should be taken out before the woman stands up to
avoid the semen spoiling out.
· The outer ring should be twisted to seal the condom so that
no semen comes out.

The female condom can be pulled out.
· It is important to stress that the female condom should be
disposed of in waste containers and not, for example, in the
toilet.
· Also, since in many countries women dispose of sanitary
napkins in a clean and private way, the same procedures
can be promoted for the disposal of the female condom.

Contraceptive Efficacy:
Actually when female condoms are used correctly and
consistently, the failure rate is 5% compared to 3% failure rate
of male condoms. So they are a reliable product and studies
indicate that when female condoms did fail it was because
people were not putting them on at every sexual encounter.
The female condom has been the subject of extensive research,
both in clinical settings and in “real life” projects. An enormous
amount of information has been collected, and several
extensive reviews of the research have been conducted. The
following facts and figures synthesize the research results.

The female condom prevents unwanted pregnancies
The female condom is a reversible, barrier method of
contraception that extends the choice of contraceptive
methods available and provides protection from the risk
of pregnancy.

Annual Accidental Pregnancy Rates for Consistent and
Correct Use
Female Condom
Male Latex Condom
Diaphragm
Spermicide
5%
3%
6%
5%

Efficacy as STI Prevention:
The female condom is a highly effective barrier against transmission of
HIV and many other STIs. For example, laboratory studies have shown
the female condom to be impermeable to microscopic organisms that
cause many of the most common, treatable sexually transmitted
infections, including trichomoniasis, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus,
hepatitis B virus, and HIV. Estimates indicate that consistent and
correct use of the female condom reduces the risk of sexually
transmitted infection (including HIV) by between 94% and 97% per
act of intercourse. In addition, with correct and consistent use the
female condom is a highly effective form of contraception, and has no
known side effects or risks. The male latex condom is the only other
barrier method that prevents HIV and other STIs as well as pregnancy.

Candidacy:
1) Women who have recently given birth.
2) Woman who are menstruating.
3) People who are concerned about unintended pregnancy
and STIs, including HIV/AIDS and whose partner’s cannot
or will not use the male latex condom. Thus women who
want to protect themselves and their partners can use
female condom. By suing so they show their partners that
they care.

4) Woman who are peri-and post-menopausal and sex is
infrequent.
5) People who are allergic or sensitive to latex and
husbands cannot use latex condoms or who are allergic to
nonoxynol-9 spermicide thus unable to use spermicides.
6) People who are HIV+ or have HIV+ partners including
such women who have a hysterectomy.

Advantages:
· Prevents the spread of sexually transmitted infections
including HIV and AIDS.
· Protects the vagina and vulva
· Does not reduce a male partner’s stimulation
· Available without a prescription
· No hormonal side effects
· Can be used by people with latex sensitivities

· Pre-lubricated and can be used with oil and water-based
lubricants
· Can be inserted before sex play begins
· Insertion can be part of sex play
· Erection not necessary to keep condom in place.
· Doses not affect future fertility
· Helpful with drunk clients
· Female condom was useful for sex workers, especially for
regular clients and personal partners

Women could insert it will before sex and “be ready” for protection
without having to rely on the man to slow down during sex to put
on the condom. It is stronger than latex, odorless, causes no
allergic reactions and unlike latex, may be used with both oil-based
and water-based lubricants. It can be inserted prior to intercourse,
is not dependent on the male erection, and does not require
immediate withdrawal after ejaculation. With correct and
consistent use, the female condom is as effective as other barrier
methods and has practically no side effects or risks.

Because of the polyurethane used to make it, the female
condom is both strong and durable. No special storage
arrangements have to be made because polyurethane is
not affected by changes in temperature and dampness. The
expiry date on the female condom is 60 months (5 years)
from the date of manufacture.

Cost:
Health economist need to give more credence to the reality
of the daily lives of poor women in proposals for health
sector policies that will impact women’s utilization of health
services, including reproductive health services. This
underscores the need to frame the right questions, such as
how women cope with user and other out-of-pocket fees in
relation to different health needs and services.

Female condom (Vaginal Patch)- a detailed medical study

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