Female condom: how to put

The female condom is a contraceptive method, which can replace the contraceptive pill to protect against unwanted pregnancy and also against sexually transmitted diseases such as HPV, syphilis or HIV.

This type of condom is sold in pharmacies, but can also be found in sex shops , and is usually more expensive than a condom for men. It can be placed up to 8 hours before sexual intercourse.

The female condom is about 15 centimeters long and is formed by 2 rings of different sizes that are joined together forming a kind of tube. The side of the narrower ring of the condom, is the portion that is inside the vagina, and is closed, preventing the passage of sperm to the uterus, protecting the woman from male secretions.

How to properly place

To put it correctly and not disturb it, you must:

Hold the condom with the opening facing down; Tighten in the middle of the smaller ring that faces upwards, forming an '8' to introduce it more easily into the vagina; Choose a comfortable position, which can be crouched or with one leg bent; Insert the '8' shaped ring into the vagina leaving about 3 cm outside;

To remove the condom, after the sexual act, you must hold and rotate the larger ring that was outside the vagina, so as not to let the secretions out and then you must pull the condom out. After that, it is important to tie a knot in the middle of the condom and throw it in the trash.

This method is great because in addition to preventing pregnancy, it also prevents the transmission of disease. However, for those who are just trying to avoid pregnancy there are other methods of contraception that can be used.

Watch the following video and check out how to use the female condom and what are the benefits of this contraceptive method:

5 most common mistakes when using a female condom

Some of the most common mistakes that decrease the effectiveness of condoms include:

1. Put the condom on after starting the relationship

The female condom can be placed up to 8 hours before sexual intercourse, however, many women only use it after initiating intimate contact, preventing only contact with sperm. However, some diseases like herpes and HPV can be transmitted through the mouth.

What to do: put the condom on before intimate contact or right after starting the relationship, avoiding direct contact of the mouth and penis with the vagina.

2. Do not check the packaging before opening

The packaging of any condom must be observed before use to check for holes or damage that could compromise the safety of the contraceptive method. However, this is one of the most easily overlooked steps throughout the placement process.

What to do: check the entire package before opening and check the expiration date.

3. Putting the condom in the wrong way

Although it is easy to identify the opening side of the condom, in some situations the woman may be confused, ending up introducing the female condom in reverse. This causes the opening to be inward and the penis is unable to enter. In such cases, the penis can pass between the condom and the vagina, canceling out the desired effect.

What to do: correctly observe the opening side of the condom and insert only the smaller ring, which is not open.

4. Don't leave a part of the condom out

After putting the condom on it is very important to leave a piece out as this allows the condom not to move and avoids the contact of the penis with the outer vagina. Thus, when the condom is misplaced it can cause the penis to come into direct contact with the vagina, increasing the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases or becoming pregnant.

What to do: After placing the condom inside the vagina, leave about 3 cm outside to protect the outer region.

5. Do not use lubricant during intercourse

The lubricant helps to reduce friction during intimate contact, facilitating penetration. When there is not enough lubrication, the movement of the penis can create a lot of friction, which can lead to tears in the condom.

What to do: It is important to use a suitable water-based lubricant.