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Condoms

Condoms are still the safest and easiest way to safeguard your sexual health - find out how we can help make them easier to use.

image of condom

Using a femidom

A femidom is a bit different from a condom in that you can put it in before you have started having sex and that it’s something the woman wears. Because of this it can give women more control over how safe their sex is. Some men use them for anal sex too.

It's worth mentioning that using a femidom and condom together is not recommended - it's more likely to cause either or both to split.

Just like a condom you should always use a new femidom each time you have sex though, and check it is within it’s `use by’ date and carries these quality symbols:

kite marks

Step1

Make sure you’ve put your femidom in before even the penis touches your genitals – otherwise you could be at risk of STIs and pregnancy. Putting it before penetration alone doesn’t guarantee that you’re totally safe.

Take the Femidom carefully out of the packet to avoid tearing it – it might be worth taking off jewelery that could catch on it. Either squat or lie down – whichever feels the most comfortable. Squeeze the ring at the closed end between your thumb and finger and keep your finger on the ring – this will help you fit the femidom more easily when it’s inside you.

 

Step 2

Use your other hand to separate your labia. Next push the squeezed ring of the femidom into your vagina as far as it will go.

 

Step 3

Push your middle finger into the femidom and push the inner ring as far up your vagina as you can – it should be just above your pubic bone. The outer ring should be lying on the outside of your vulva.

Femidoms are quite loose fitting so it’s a good idea to guide the penis into the vagina – this stops the femidom being pushed right inside you or the penis from not going into it properly. Don’t worry if it seems a bit loose, that’s how it’s supposed to be.

 

Step 4

When you’ve finished having sex twist the outer ring (which will keep the semen inside the femidom) and gently pull it out of you. Wrap the femidom and put it in the bin, not down the toilet. It’s important to still make sure that the penis doesn’t touch your genitals and if you’re going to have sex again use a fresh femidom.

Don’t worry if this seems a lot to remember, there should be instructions in the packet too.


Lubricants or `Lube'. 

Using lubricant means more comfort and safety. Not using any, not using enough or using the wrong sort makes condoms more likely to break or come off.

A femidom comes already lubed - if you want to use more then you can use any type of lube. Femidoms are made of polyurethane so you can use water, oil or silicone based lubes with them without any risk of them perishing.