Vaginal condoms
Vaginal condoms (also called femidoms or «internal condoms» for vaginal sex and sex toys) protect against HIV. It is important to pay attention to the expiry date, not to use old or porous condoms and to use the right lubricant.
Vaginal condoms consist of an approximately 18 cm long, ultra-thin plastic sheath with an open and a closed end. There are movable rings at both ends. The front ring is located outside the vagina in front of the labia majora, while the back ring is inserted deep into the vagina, similar to a diaphragm.
Anyone who uses a vaginal condom during vaginal sex or when using sex toys with a partner is protected against HIV. They reliably protect against HIV when used correctly. The use of a vaginal condom and condom together offers no better protection – on the contrary: they may be damaged by friction.
Important: vaginal condoms do not reliably protect against other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis or gonorrhoea or against hepatitis A/B. Regular testing and vaccination is the best protection here.
Where can I get vaginal condoms?
Vaginal condoms can be bought in well-stocked pharmacies and chemists, in sex shops and online in the Swiss AIDS Federation shop.
What do I do if I forgot to use a femidom or it breaks?
PEP emergency treatment for HIV is available after unprotected anal or vaginal sex. To be effective, the treatment must be provided within a matter of hours. Further information is available here.
What’s important when it comes to femidoms?
- Quality: Every vaginal condom has an expiry date. A vaginal condom that has passed this date should no longer be used. It is also important to check the quality (recognisable by the CE mark, for example). Also, be aware that vaginal condoms do not tolerate heat and sun well: vaginal condoms stored in wallets or on a sunny windowsill for a day are likely to be porous and no longer safe. It is better to store vaginal condoms in a rigid container in your bag.
- Lubricants: Lubricants facilitate penetration of the penis, fingers or sex toys during sex. When having sex with a femidom, a lot of lubricant is needed to ensure that it glides well and that the femidom does not tear. To prevent excessive friction on the penis and to ensure that it fits snugly, coat the femidom with lubricant on the inside and outside.
Only water- or silicone-based lubricants are suitable for sex with femidoms. Greasy or oily lubricants corrode the latex. Even without visible damage, vaginal condoms become permeable and tear more easily. Hand cream, petroleum jelly, salad oil, butter, soap and body lotion are unsuitable as lubricants with condoms.
Instructions
Opening
Open the wrapper carefully – do not tear open with sharp-edged objects (knives, scissors) or teeth. Be careful with sharp fingernails!
Insertion and placement
Vaginal condoms have a ring at the front and back. To insert, squeeze the inner ring (the one with the closed end of the tube) between the thumb and middle finger and then push the femidom into the vagina.
The front ring remains outside the vagina in front of the labia majora, while the back ring is in front of the cervix.
Sex
Insert the penis or sex toys into the vaginal condom, not accidentally to the side of it.
Removal
After sex, twist the vaginal condom one or two turns on its own axis and gently pull it out of the vagina so that no fluids get out.
Dispose of used vaginal condoms in the rubbish and not in the toilet. Do not reuse used vaginal condoms.
