All the questions about female condoms you never knew you had, answered.

Female condoms: what are they? The LuRu condom fairies always drop them off outside my floor rep's door, but I've never known what they are or how to use them. Why wouldn't you just use a male condom? Fear no more, Questies, for we have answers! According to our friends over at #Planned #Parenthood, female condoms (also known as internal condoms, since they can also be used in the anus) can be more comfortable and increase sexual pleasure.

The Comfort Factor - According to Planned Parenthood, "Because female condoms are larger than male condoms and don’t fit snugly around a penis, they give your partner’s penis more breathing room, which some people find more comfortable." That's pretty neat. - You can insert the female condom ahead of time, meaning there are no need for interruptions where your partner tries to rummage in their bedside drawers for a male condom. Female condoms can be inserted up to 8 hours before having sex. Yup, you heard that right: 8 hours. That means you could, for intance, insert the condom before going out for a night of partying, and already know that you are protected should you decide to have sex. - Using female condoms can increase a person' sense of agency during sex. You can come prepared with the condom already in, and you can check to verify that everything is correctly inserted*. Female condoms can help you feel like you're more in control.

The Sexy Factor - Having your partner put the female condom in for you can turn safer sex into sexy foreplay. - If you're having vaginal sex with a female condom, the inner ring can actually stimulate the tip of the penis, and the external ring can rub against the vulva and clitoris, which can feel great.

Effectiveness If they are used correctly, female condoms are effective in preventing pregnancy about 95% of the time. However, since people aren't perfect, the number is actually closer to 79% effective, meaning that 21 out of 100 people who use female condoms as their main birth control method will get pregnant each year.

*Correct Usage Wearing a female condom correctly means wearing it the entire time you're having sex, from start to finish. Make sure that the condom is in place in your vagina or anus before there's any skin-to-skin genital contact. Planned Parenthood recommends using female condoms in tandem with another birth control method, like the pill or an IUD. Watching some videos on proper insertion may also be helpful.

Tips - Make sure you are using a new condom each time you have sex - these things are NOT reusable. - Take some time to practice getting used to the female condom if you've never used one before. Like male condoms, they are only effective if they are applied and used correctly. - Use extra lube! The general rule with lube is, the more, the better.

For more check out: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/female-condom/what-are-the-advantages-of-female-condoms

Resources: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/female-condom/what-are-the-advantages-of-female-condoms https://www.bedsider.org/features/636-5-things-you-really-should-know-about-female-condoms https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/female-condom/how-do-i-use-a-female-condom