What is an internal (female) condom?

An internal (female) condom is a tube made of soft plastic or rubber with a closed end. Each end has a ring or rim. The ring at the closed end is inserted deep into the vagina over the cervix to hold the tube in place. The ring at the open end stays outside the opening of the vagina.

Condoms can be used to prevent pregnancy or to help protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You must use a new condom each time you have vaginal sex.

Condoms prevent pregnancy by keeping sperm and eggs apart. The condom holds the sperm so the sperm can't get into the vagina.

How do you buy and store them?

• Internal condoms may be available for free at family planning clinics. You can buy them with a prescription at drugstores, online, and in some grocery stores.
• Store the condoms at room temperature. Check the expiration date on the package before using one.

How well do they work?

When internal condoms are used exactly as directed, they are about 95% effective for preventing pregnancy. This means that 5 out of 100 people who use them will have an unplanned pregnancy. When they are not used exactly as directed, they are about 79% effective for preventing pregnancy. This means that 21 out of 100 people who use them will have an unplanned pregnancy.

How do you use an internal condom?

• Use a new condom each time you have vaginal sex. You can insert it up to 8 hours before you have sex.
• These condoms have lubricant on the inside. Spread it by rubbing the sides of the condom together. You can also add lubricant to the inside or outside of the condom.
• Find a comfortable position to insert the condom. It may help to stand with one foot on a chair or sit on the edge of a chair or lie down.
• Insert one finger into the condom. With your other hand, squeeze together the closed end of the condom. Place that end into your vagina. Use the finger inside the condom to push the closed end as far into the vagina as it will go.
• The open end of the condom will hang about an inch outside your vagina.
• During vaginal sex, the penis should be inside the condom.
• After ejaculation, remove the condom right away.
  • Twist the open outside ring to close off the condom and hold the semen inside before the condom is removed.
  • Pull the condom out before you stand up.

What else do you need to know?

• Don't use an internal condom with an external (male) condom.
• If you think sperm may have leaked into the vagina, you can use emergency contraception to help prevent pregnancy. The most effective emergency contraception is an IUD (inserted by a doctor). You can also get emergency contraceptive pills. You can get them with a prescription from your doctor or without a prescription at most drugstores.

What should you think about when using internal condoms?

Some pros of using an internal condom

• It doesn't affect your ability to get pregnant in the future.
• It's used only while you're having vaginal sex.
• It's safe to use if you're breastfeeding.
• It doesn't use hormones. So you can use it if you don't want to take hormones or can't take hormones because you have certain health problems or concerns.
• It provides some protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• It can be placed up to 8 hours before vaginal sex. You don't have to interrupt sex.

Some cons of using an internal condom

• Internal condoms don't prevent pregnancy as well as IUDs or other hormonal forms of birth control.
• Internal condoms can be harder to use than external (male) condoms. It may take practice to learn to place them correctly and comfortably.
• Some people feel it can interrupt foreplay or sex.
• You must use it every time you have sex.
• Condoms may decrease sexual sensation.