Femidom

A femidom (also called an internal condom or female condom) is a soft, thin pouch that's inserted into the vagina before sex. It lines the inside of the vagina and catches semen, working in a similar way to a regular condom — but instead of being worn on the penis, it's worn inside the body. It protects against both pregnancy and STIs.

• A femidom is an internal condom inserted into the vagina before sex.
• Like external condoms, it protects against both pregnancy and STIs.
• It's made from a thin synthetic material (usually nitrile), so it's safe for people with latex allergies.
• It can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex, giving you more control over when protection is in place.
• About 95% effective with perfect use, around 79% with typical use. [CHECK: latest effectiveness figures]

[DIAGRAM: Diagram showing internal/female condom and how it is inserted and positioned]

How it works

The femidom is a soft pouch with a flexible ring at each end. The smaller ring at the closed end is squeezed and inserted into the vagina, where it sits behind the pubic bone to hold the condom in place. The larger ring at the open end stays outside the body, covering part of the vulva. During sex, the penis goes inside the pouch rather than directly into the vagina.

After sex, you twist the outer ring to keep the semen inside, then pull it out gently. Like external condoms, femidoms are single-use — one per session.

Why most people haven't heard of them

Femidoms exist but aren't widely used or talked about. They're harder to find than regular condoms, not always stocked in shops, and many people don't know they're an option. They can also be more expensive to buy than external condoms, though they're available free from some sexual health clinics.

That's a shame, because they have some genuine advantages. They can be put in ahead of time (up to 8 hours before sex), so you don't have to pause in the moment. They're not dependent on the penis being erect. They're latex-free, which is great for people with latex allergies. And they give the person with the vagina direct control over the barrier method, which matters — especially in situations where a partner is reluctant to use an external condom.

Things people get wrong

"They're really awkward to use." They can feel unfamiliar at first, like anything new. With a bit of practice, they become straightforward. The first time with any contraception method can feel a bit clunky.

"They're noisy." Older versions sometimes rustled during sex. Modern femidoms made from nitrile are much quieter. Adding a bit of lube inside the pouch can help too.

"They're only for vaginal sex." Femidoms can also be used for anal sex as a barrier method, though they're not officially marketed for this. Some people find them more comfortable than external condoms for anal sex because they line the inside rather than gripping the outside. [CHECK: any official NHS guidance on femidom use for anal sex]

Things people ask about femidoms

Can you use a femidom and an external condom at the same time?

No. Using both creates friction between them and increases the chance of one or both failing. Use one or the other, never both together.

Where can I get them?

Some sexual health clinics and Brook services have them for free. They're available online and in some pharmacies. They're not as easy to find as regular condoms, but they do exist.

What if it moves during sex?

If the outer ring gets pushed inside or the penis slips between the femidom and the vaginal wall, stop and reposition it. Adding lube can help it stay in place.

Is it as effective as a regular condom?

With perfect use, it's very effective (around 95%). In typical use, the rate drops to around 79% — slightly lower than external condoms. Using it correctly and consistently makes a big difference.

A femidom is a type of condom that goes inside the body instead of on the penis. It's a soft, thin pouch that is put inside before sex. During sex, it catches the fluid so it doesn't go further into the body. This helps stop pregnancy and protects against infections.

It has a ring at each end. The smaller ring goes inside and holds it in place. The bigger ring stays on the outside. After sex, you twist the outer ring to keep everything inside, then pull it out and throw it away. You use a new one each time.

One good thing about femidoms is that they can be put in up to 8 hours before sex, so there's no need to pause in the moment. They're also not made from latex, so they're fine for people who are allergic to latex.

Femidoms are harder to find than regular condoms. Most shops don't sell them. But some sexual health clinics have them for free, and you can buy them online.

You should never use a femidom and a regular condom at the same time. The two rub together and are more likely to break. Use one or the other.