What is a femidom?

The Femidom is an elongated, slightly funnel-shaped bag made of either polyurethane, latex or silicone. It only comes in one size that can be used by every woman. The bag is inserted into the vagina before intercourse and collects the semen (just like a condom). It can only be used once.

In addition to the pouch, the femidom consists of two rings - one inner and one outer, which sit at opposite ends of the pouch. Some brands of femidomes have a sponge instead of the inner ring. The inner ring or sponge helps to position the femidom correctly inside the vagina so that it lies around the cervix. The outer ring lies around the vaginal opening and holds the femidom firmly outside the vagina. The outer ring is slightly softer than the inner ring.

Natural that the femidom moves a little

Femidomes are lubricated with silicone oil. Once set up, the pouch itself will adhere slightly to the inside of the vagina. You can get a little lubricant into the femidom or onto the man's penis if more lubricant is needed during intercourse.

It is completely natural for the femdom to move a little during intercourse. If the outer ring of the Femidom slips into the vagina during intercourse, partners should withdraw and more lubricant may be used.

A femidom must be in place during the entire intercourse, because semen can come from the penis before the actual ejaculation - and semen can make a girl pregnant. The femidom also does not protect against STDs if it is not on from the start.

The femidom also protects against infection with sexually transmitted diseases – perhaps even a little more than condoms, because the femidom also covers the labia and the root of the penis.

How to use the Femidom

1. To insert the Femidom into the vagina, you need to find a suitable position - either lying down or sitting with your legs apart, or standing with one leg on a chair.
2. Remove the femidom from the package and make sure that the elastic inner ring or sponge is in the closed end of the tube
3. If the femidom has an inner ring, pinch the lower half of the inner ring together between your thumb, index finger and middle finger. This gives you a secure grip and eases insertion.
4. With the other hand, part the labia as you insert the pinched ring or sponge and push it up as far as you can.
5. Then insert your finger inside the sheath until you can feel the bottom of the inner ring or sponge and push the ring up into the vagina.
6. The outer ring and a small part of the sheath will remain outside the vagina.
7. When intercourse is finished, you can wait to take out the femdom and only take it out when you are ready.
8. The femidom is pulled out of the vagina and thrown in the waste bin - not in the toilet. Check the femidom for leaks before throwing it away.

It is a good idea that you practice putting a femidom into the vagina before you are together with a partner. Then you avoid some of the things that can lead to problems with the femidom.

Femidom and sharp objects don't mix well. Pay attention to how the femidoms are handled and stored: sharp nails, jewelry and piercings can damage the rubber. Also, avoid keeping the femidom in your purse or pocket.

Pros

• If the femidom is used correctly, there is 95% certainty of avoiding an unwanted pregnancy
• It is not necessary to talk to a doctor before you start using the femidom
• The femidom can be put on before intercourse
• The method does not depend on the erection of male partners
• It protects you both against sexually transmitted diseases such as e.g. chlamydia and HIV
• Femidom rarely causes side effects
• Anyone can buy femidoms - regardless of gender or age

Cons

• Some men believe that the sensitivity during intercourse is reduced when using a femidom
• The outer ring of the femidom can be pushed into the vagina during intercourse,
• Semen can leak out of the femidom if it is not used correctly
• The femidom can break if it is subjected to stress or if it is not used correctly
• Few people find themselves hypersensitive to latex rubber
• Femidom is not sold in many places - you can order it online or through the pharmacy

Femidom together with other contraception

If the  femidom is used together with birth control pills or other contraception, the risk of unwanted pregnancy is theoretically excluded. At the same time, you have secured yourself against being infected with a sexually transmitted disease.

Femidom and lube

If there is a tendency to dryness in the vagina, the use of a water-based or silicone-based lubricant together with the condom is recommended. Water- or silicone-based lubricant can, for example,  be bought at the pharmacy.

Water- or silicone-based lubricants are recommended over oil-based creams such as Vaseline or body lotion, because the latter can break down the latex rubber and increase the risk of a femidom breaking if it is made of latex. Perfumed cream can also cause allergies if used in and around the genitals.

Furthermore, if the femidom is made of latex rubber and the woman is menstruating, it may be an idea to use extra lubricant. Menstrual blood can dry out the latex rubber. Menstrual blood does not affect nitrile rubber or silicone femidoms in the same way.

If the femidom fails

If the femidom either breaks, or the outer ring of the femidom and the outer part of the femidom are pressed into the vagina, it was not on during intercourse, or if semen otherwise gets near the vagina, emergency contraception is needed. Here you can read more about emergency contraception.