I recently came across a study conducted by Guttmacher Institute on how female condoms have allowed women to gain a new sense of independence. This newer form of contraception hasn’t gotten much attention, and the potential benefits have been slightly ignored. Compared to other female contraceptives like the birth control pill or diaphragm, it is the only one that helps prevent the transmission of STDs and HIV as well as pregnancy.
Female condoms give women the chance to protect themselves without relying on their partner’s compliance. The Guttmacher Institute research focused on sex workers in Central America and their experiences with the female condom.
If there are clients who don’t want to use the male condom, now we can protect ourselves with the female condom…Most women in the two El Salvador sites reported that they were very worried about contracting HIV, but thought it was completely within their control to protect themselves from infection.
The problem with the female condom is that it is not yet as widely available as the male condom. Another issue is the possible stigma associated with the female condom because of its size and how comfortable it is. It will take some time and more research to see the full potential of the female condom, as it becomes better known and more widely available.
More information about the female condom and how to use it is here.
By Stephanie Rodriguez, Policy Intern
Stephanie,
Another issue that should be considered is the cost of female condoms. Where a male condom is worth $.50 to $1.00, female condoms can range from $2.50 to $5.00 which could make this option as unaffordable to women as birth control pills and other forms of contraception
Still, this could be a valid option particularly for women who’s male partners refuse to use condoms.
There is also the problem of education and usage. I’d guess that most people don’t actually know how to use a female condom. Of course, the same argument could be made about male condoms; however, I think education about female condoms is even more lacking in many ways. Of course, this is only based on my own personal experiences in sex ed–but I was taught how to use a male condom many times. Female condoms were mentioned, but I don’t recall ever being taught how to properly use them in any effective or meaningful way.