Female Condoms: How They Work
Female condoms — more precisely called internal condoms, since anyone with a vagina or a receptive partner during anal sex can use them — are a less commonly discussed but genuinely useful barrier method.
How they work
An internal condom is a soft pouch, typically made of nitrile, inserted into the vagina (or anus) before sex, with a flexible ring at each end — one to anchor it internally, one that stays outside the body. Unlike external condoms, they can be inserted ahead of time, up to eight hours before sex, which some people find more convenient for spontaneity in the moment.
How well they protect against STDs and pregnancy
When used correctly and consistently, internal condoms are effective at both pregnancy prevention and STD protection, including HIV — though typical-use effectiveness (accounting for real-world inconsistent or incorrect use) is somewhat lower than perfect-use numbers, which is true of essentially every barrier method. They're made of nitrile rather than latex, which makes them a solid option for people with latex allergies who still want strong STD protection (unlike lambskin condoms, which don't provide the same viral barrier).
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