»
sh.uk
About SH.UK
How It Works
About
SH.UK
About SH.UK
Where is it available?
How does it work?
Service FAQs
Self-Sampling
Self-
Sampling
About Self-Sampling
Urine Sample
Vaginal Swab
Finger-Prick Blood
Throat Swab
Rectal Swab
About STIs
STIs
Chlamydia
Gonorrhoea
HIV
Syphilis
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
LGV
Condoms
Condoms
All About Condoms
Condoms Worries
Contraception & Pregnancy
Sex & Relationships
Condoms - Help & Support
PrEP
PrEP
All About PrEP
How SH.UK's PrEP service works
Commonly asked questions
Support
Help &
Support
PEP
Sexual Assault
Drugs & Alcohol
Young People
What your results mean
Contraception
Find a Location
Help & Support Centre
Contact Us
Find a Location
Sign In
Javascript is required for access to SH.UK, please use a browser that supports Javascript.
Home
Contraception
Female Condom
Female Condoms | Free female condoms delivered
What is it?
Very thin, soft tubing made of polyurethane that is inserted into and loosely lines the vagina.
How does it work?
It acts as a barrier between the penis and vagina so sperm doesn’t enter the vagina and reach the egg.
What’s great about it?
Quite effective. 5 out of 100 women using them will get pregnant each year. If not used properly more women will become pregnant (21 in 100).
nyone can buy them in a store – does not need a prescription
Does not contain hormones so no side effects and periods are not affected.
Just use it when you have sex. Can be put in any time before sex so as to not interrupt it.
Protects against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Can use it with any lubricant – not affected by oil based lubricants.
What’s not so great about it?
It is less effective than most methods but better than using nothing.
It can fail because: penis enters you between the condom and the vagina, not inside the condom; condom can be pushed too far into the vagina – the open end should always be outside the vagina; it slips out
Needs to be used every time you have sex.
Can “interrupt the mood” during sex if not inserted beforehand.
Can cause vaginal/penile irritation.
More expensive than a male condom.
Can make sex noisy, but adding extra lubricant can help.
Where can I get it?
Sexual Health clinics
Family planning clinics
Buy it at pharmacies and supermarkets.
Additional Links
https://www.brook.org.uk/our-services/start-my-contraception-tool
https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/contraception-guide/Pages/contraception.aspx