If used correctly and consistently, female condoms are 95% effective. This means that five out of 100 women using female condoms as contraception will become pregnant in a year.
Using female condoms protects against both pregnancy and STIs.
A female condom needs to be placed inside the vagina before there is any contact between the vagina and the penis.
Female condoms need to be stored in places that aren't too hot or too cold, and away from sharp or rough surfaces that could tear them or wear them away.
Always buy condoms that have the CE mark on the packet. This means they've been tested to European safety standards. Condoms that don't have the CE mark won't meet these standards, so don't use them.
A female condom can get pushed too far into the vagina, but it's easy to remove it yourself.
Female condoms may not be suitable for women who are not comfortable touching their genital area.
Do not use a female condom more than once. If you have sex again, use a new female condom.
How female condoms work
The female condom is worn inside the vagina to stop sperm getting to the womb.
It is important to use condoms correctly, and to make sure the penis doesn't make contact with the vagina before a condom has been put in. This is because semen can come out of the penis before a man has fully ejaculated (come). A female condom can be put in up to eight hours before sex.
How to use a female condom
take the female condom out of the packet, taking care not to tear the condom – do not open the packet with your teeth
squeeze the smaller ring at the closed end of the condom and insert it into the vagina
make sure that the large ring at the open end of the female condom covers the area around the vaginal opening
make sure the penis enters into the female condom, not between the condom and the side of the vagina
remove the female condom immediately after sex by gently pulling it out – you can twist the large ring to prevent semen leaking out
throw the condom away in a bin, not down the toilet
Advantages and disadvantages of female condoms
It is important to consider which form of contraception is right for you and your partner. Take care to use condoms correctly, and consider using other forms of contraception for extra protection.
Advantages
by preventing the exchange of bodily fluids (semen and vaginal fluid), female condoms help to protect against many STIs, including HIV
when used correctly and consistently, condoms are a reliable method of preventing pregnancy
you only need to use them when you have sex – they do not need advance preparation and are suitable for unplanned sex
in most cases, there are no medical side effects from using condoms
female condoms can be inserted up to eight hours before sex, and mean that women share the responsibility for using condoms with their partner
Disadvantages
some couples find that putting a condom in can interrupt sex – to get around this, try making using a condom part of foreplay or insert the female condom in advance
condoms are very strong but may split or tear if not used properly
female condoms are not as widely available as male condoms and are more expensive to buy
Can anything make condoms less effective?
Sperm can sometimes get into the vagina during sex even when using a condom. This may happen if:
the penis touches the area around the vagina before a condom is put in
the female condom gets pushed too far into the vagina
the man’s penis enters the vagina outside the female condom by mistake
the condom gets damaged by sharp fingernails or jewellery
Although female condoms (when used correctly) offer reliable protection against pregnancy, using an additional method of contraception will protect you against pregnancy if the female condom fails. If a female condom slips or fails, you can use emergency contraception to help to prevent pregnancy. This is for emergencies only, and shouldn't be used as a regular form of contraception.
If you've been at risk of unintended pregnancy, you're also at risk of catching an STI, so have a check-up at:
a GP surgery
a local sexual health clinic or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic (Find sexual health services near you)
a young persons' service (call 0800 567123)
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