Hey Yvonne, did you hear about the new female condom? What’s the material they make it out of? Can I still use it if I have a latex allergy?

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Yes, there is a new version of the Reality condom (AKA “the female condom” or “FC”) coming out. You may be familiar with the original Reality condom, which is a polyurethane pouch with a silicone lubricant that can be used for vaginal or anal sex. The new female condom or “FC2” is made of nitrile, which you may hear called “nitrile rubber” or “synthetic latex.” Like the original Reality condom, it is safe to use if you have a latex allergy. The manufacturer of the FC has moved to making these condoms out of nitrile because it is a more affordable material, which means cheaper safer sex supplies for all of us!

FC2 is used the same way as its predecessor is: when you open the package you will find a very well-lubed pouch with a ring at either end. The closed end goes into your body, and the open end hangs outside of your vagina or anus, depending on where you insert it. The ring on the closed end can be removed if you find it more comfortable, and its removal is highly recommended if you are using the condom anally.To remove it, just reach in and pull it out with your fingers. The condom will stay in place without the inner ring.You can add extra lube to the inside or outside of the FC, and because it is non-latex, you can use it with water, silicone, or oil-based lubes.

FC2 reduces the risks of both pregnancy and STIs. Some evidence suggests that it offers more protection against skin-to-skin transmitted STIs, like herpes and HPV, because the outer ring covers up more of your skin than a regular condom does. Unlike traditional condoms, FC’s can be used even if the penetrating partner isn’t fully hard, which can be a great safer sex tip for partners who experience erectile dysfunction.

Some disadvantages of the FC and FC2 are that they are slightly less effective against pregnancy than are traditional condoms – the lowered efficacy seems to be because it is possible to “miss” the opening of the FC and for the penis to go outside the condom, against the vagina. Users of the FC sometimes report that the condom itself makes noise during sex. If this happens, try adding more lube. A lot of folks don’t like the FC the first time or times they use it. If you want to try an FC, try it a few times to get comfortable using it. Some users like to put it in a few hours before they have sex to let the pouch warm up to their body temperature, and other people may insert an FC before they head out for the night if they think they may forget to insert it right before sex. And even though nitrile is less expensive than is polyurethane, FC’s are still more expensive than traditional condoms.

So when will the FC2 become available? Not sure yet, though it has obtained FDA approval. In terms of cost, FC2 costs about 30% less to manufacture than did the original FC, though I couldn’t find a price for FC2s. If anyone has this information handy, please let me know!

For more engrossing reading about the FC2, check out:

World Health Organization

The Female Health Company

Thanks for your question – and please keep ‘em coming!

Posted on April 29th, 2009 by yvonne
Filed under: ask_yvonne