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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

An estimated 21 out of 100 women will become pregnant in the first year of typical use of female condoms — usually because they don't use condoms every time they have sex.

The female condom has a higher failure rate than the male condom. Condom failure means it's possible to contract sexually transmitted infections or become pregnant. The female condom may not protect you if:

  • The condom breaks
  • The condom slips out of the vagina
  • The penis slips between the vagina and the outside of the condom
  • The outer ring of the condom gets pushed into the vagina during sex

The female condom may also cause discomfort during insertion, a burning sensation, itching or a rash.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Hoke TH, et al. Female condoms. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 11, 2011.
  2. Female Health Company. http://www.femalehealth.com. Accessed Nov 11, 2011.
  3. Summary of safety and effectiveness data. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf8/P080002b.pdf. Accessed Nov. 11, 2011.
  4. Comparison of FC female condoms to a male condom. Female Health Company. http://www.femalehealth.com/theproduct.html. Accessed Nov. 11, 2011.
  5. Female-controlled barrier methods. In: Zieman M, et al. A Pocket Guide to Managing Contraception. Tiger, Ga.: Bridging the Gap Communications; 2010:63.
  6. Medical devices: FC2 female condom. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/DeviceApprovalsandClearances/Recently-ApprovedDevices/ucm133900.htm. Accessed Nov. 11, 2011.
  7. Cates W, et al. Vaginal barriers and spermicides. In: Hatcher RA, et al. Contraceptive Technology. 20th ed. New York, N.Y.: Ardent Media, Inc.; 2011.
  8. FC2 female condom patient leaflet. Female Health Company. http://www.femalehealth.com/theproduct.html. Accessed Nov. 11, 2011.
  9. Do's and don'ts of condom use. American Social Health Association. http://www.ashastd.org/condom/condom_overview.cfm. Accessed Nov. 11, 2011.
MY00985 Jan. 21, 2012

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