Vaginal Condoms: The What’s and How’s

If you hear “condoms,” you might immediately think of male, or penile, condoms. Most have heard of female, or vaginal, condoms but do not know how they work. If you are one of those people and want to know more, you have come to the right place!

From this point forward, we will call “male condoms” penile condoms and “female condoms” vaginal condoms to be more inclusive of all those who might use them.

Benefits: Vaginal condoms include several advantages such as user-controlled, dual protection, hormone-free, high effectiveness, latex-free, and source of pleasure:

1. User-controlled: Vaginal condoms allow people with vaginas to have more control over when they want to use a condom instead of waiting for their partner.

2. Dual protection: They also protect against unplanned pregnancy and unwanted sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV, herpes, HPV, etc.

3. Hormone-free: Unlike oral contraception (birth control pills) or long acting reversible contraception (injections, implants, or IUDs), these condoms do not emit any hormones to protect against pregnancy.

4. High effectiveness: Additionally, they are as effective as male condoms.

5. Latex-free/Source of pleasure: Vaginal condoms are made of nitrile which is non-latex which conducts heat and makes sex feel natural. They are also less constrictive and more lubricated than penile condoms, so they might be as or more pleasurable to use.

Correct use: It is important to know that similar to penile condoms, vaginal condoms must be used correctly to be effective. To see how to insert a vaginal condom, stop by Health Promotion for a demonstration.

Maximum protection: To ensure protection against pregnancy and STI transmission, use the vaginal condom with a hormonal contraceptive like pills, IUDs, implants, or injections.

Locations: If you are interested in seeing or using vaginal condoms, view the video below or check out healthpromotion.gatech.edu to find all condom locations. Feel free to also stop by Health Promotion (2nd floor Health Services).

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Vaginal Condoms: The What’s and How’s