Place in Therapy:
Efficacy:
The female condom can be recommended as an effective barrier contraceptive method to patients seeking contraception methods. Although the failure rate of the female condom (5-20%) has been found to be slightly higher than that of the male condom (3-14%)1,2,3, the female condom can be recommended as an approximately equally effective contraception method as the male condom1,3.
The female condom can be used as an alternative to the male condom, and can be used in conjunction with the male condom (i.e. patients can alternate use of the male and female condom). However, the female condom should not be used together with the male condom during intercourse.
The female condom may be an ideal option for females who are unable to convince their partner to make use of the male condom. It provides females with greater control in implementing safe sex. The female condom may also be the preferred method of contraception for women who find spermicides irritating, or who do not like the messiness of other vaginal barrier methods2,3.
Safety:
The female condom is well-tolerated. Allergic reactions to polyurethane and/or nitrile are rare. Both water and oil-based lubricants are compatible with the female condom. The risk of drug interactions with the female condom is low.
Cost/Convenience:
Patients must way the benefits of the female condom against its high cost (~$3.00 per condom).
The rustling noises caused by the female condom during intercourse may be unappealing to some users. As well, use of the female condom may cause some females to have decreased self-confidence during intercourse, since the female condom visibly hangs outside the vagina.
References:
1) Macaluso M et al. Efficacy of the Male Latex Condom and of the Female Polyurethane Condom as Barriers to Semen during Intercourse: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Epidemiol 2007;166:88–96
2) Canadian Pharmacists Association. Patient Self Care 2nd Edition. Chapter 83: Contraception; 799, and Canadian Pharmacists Association. Therapeutic Choices 6th Edition. Chapter 68: Contraception; 904-906.
3) Black A, Francoeur D, Rowe T et al. SOGC clinical practice guidelines: Canadian contraception consensus. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2004; 26: 219-96.
.
Efficacy:
The female condom can be recommended as an effective barrier contraceptive method to patients seeking contraception methods. Although the failure rate of the female condom (5-20%) has been found to be slightly higher than that of the male condom (3-14%)1,2,3, the female condom can be recommended as an approximately equally effective contraception method as the male condom1,3.
The female condom can be used as an alternative to the male condom, and can be used in conjunction with the male condom (i.e. patients can alternate use of the male and female condom). However, the female condom should not be used together with the male condom during intercourse.
The female condom may be an ideal option for females who are unable to convince their partner to make use of the male condom. It provides females with greater control in implementing safe sex. The female condom may also be the preferred method of contraception for women who find spermicides irritating, or who do not like the messiness of other vaginal barrier methods2,3.
Safety:
The female condom is well-tolerated. Allergic reactions to polyurethane and/or nitrile are rare. Both water and oil-based lubricants are compatible with the female condom. The risk of drug interactions with the female condom is low.
Cost/Convenience:
Patients must way the benefits of the female condom against its high cost (~$3.00 per condom).
The rustling noises caused by the female condom during intercourse may be unappealing to some users. As well, use of the female condom may cause some females to have decreased self-confidence during intercourse, since the female condom visibly hangs outside the vagina.
References:
1) Macaluso M et al. Efficacy of the Male Latex Condom and of the Female Polyurethane Condom as Barriers to Semen during Intercourse: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Epidemiol 2007;166:88–96
2) Canadian Pharmacists Association. Patient Self Care 2nd Edition. Chapter 83: Contraception; 799, and Canadian Pharmacists Association. Therapeutic Choices 6th Edition. Chapter 68: Contraception; 904-906.
3) Black A, Francoeur D, Rowe T et al. SOGC clinical practice guidelines: Canadian contraception consensus. J Obstet Gynaecol Can 2004; 26: 219-96.
.