Female (Internal) Condoms: How Do They Work, and What’s the Right Way to Use One?

You’ve probably heard of male (external) condoms, but did you know there’s another type of condom? It’s called the female condom, or internal condom. It’s similar to the male condom, but instead of going on the penis, you tuck it inside the vagina or bottom.

Want to learn more? Read on for more information about how to use the female condom, where to buy it, and whether it’s as effective as the male condom. Spoiler alert: They both give you great protection. 

How do female condoms work?

Just like a male condom, you can use a female condom for vaginal or anal sex. It blocks sperm and other fluids from passing between you and your partner during sex — which can help keep you safe from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy.  

How to use a female condom

Just like male condoms, female condoms can be a little intimidating if you haven’t used one before. 

Let’s walk through it in six simple steps:

1. Open the package. Carefully open the package, so you don’t tear the condom. It’s bigger than a male condom and has two rings at either end. 

2. Examine the condom. Make sure the condom is intact, with no rips or tears. If you’re putting the condom in your vagina, leave both rings in. If you’re putting it in your anus, remove the inner ring (this is the ring at the closed end of the condom). 

3. Get comfortable. Get into a comfortable position, like how you might put a tampon in. You can stand with one foot on a chair or toilet, squat, or lie down.

4. Insert the condom. To put it in your vagina, squeeze the inner (smaller) ring, and push the ring into your vagina as far as it will go — all the way up to your cervix. To insert it into your anus, just push the closed end of the condom into your anus with your finger. Either way, pull out your finger, and the condom is in. After you insert the condom, the outer ring should hang about 1 inch outside of your body. 

5. Hold it steady. When you’re ready to have sex, hold the outside part of the condom in place with your hand. This keeps the condom secure during penetration and makes sure the penis or sex toy doesn’t accidentally go around the condom. You can let go of the condom once the penis or toy is inside of you. 

6. Remove the condom. When you’re done, remove the condom by twisting the outer ring and gently pulling it out. This keeps semen or other fluid from leaking out of the condom. Once you’ve removed it, throw it in the trash (don’t flush).

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And keep in mind: Unlike a male condom, which you can only put on once the penis is hard, you can insert a female condom up to 8 hours ahead of time. This means you can put it in before sex, or even before you begin foreplay. 

Still need some help? Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Check out this video from Planned Parenthood, or look at the CDC’s step-by-step illustrated guide (links include explicit content). 

Can you use a female condom for both vaginal and anal sex?

Yes. The female condom is technically only FDA-approved for vaginal sex, but people often use it for anal sex as well. But remember: If you’re switching between vaginal and anal sex, you should use a fresh condom every time.

Is it safe to use lube with a female condom?

Yes. The female condom comes pre-lubricated, but it’s OK to use more lube. And since the female condom is made of nitrile, you can use it with all types of lube, including oil-based, water-based, and silicone-based lubes. 

Can you use a male condom and female condom at the same time?

No. You should never use a female condom and a male (external) condom at the same time. This can create extra friction and make it more likely that one or both will break.

Can you use a female condom with other types of birth control?

Yes. You can combine the female condom with other types of birth control — except the male condom. 

Are there different types of female condoms?

No. There’s only one available in the U.S. — the brand is F2C Female Condom. The F2C Female Condom only comes in one shape, size, and material (nitrile).

There are other protective barriers called dental dams, which are useful for oral sex (mouth to vagina or mouth to anus sex). These are different from female condoms though. More on those below.  

Where can you buy a female condom?

In the U.S., the female condom is technically only available by prescription. This means you may need to see a healthcare provider before you can get one. 

The female condom is sometimes available for free at clinics and healthcare centers. The manufacturer also has a patient assistance program to help you get the female condom.

Pros and cons of the female condom

When it comes to condoms, your personal preferences are important. Some people like the female condom — others prefer to use different types of birth control. To help you decide, we’ll go over some of the pros and cons. 

Pros of the female condom

• It’s good at preventing both STIs and unwanted pregnancy.

• It’s made of nitrile, so it’s safe for people who are allergic to latex.

• It’s hypoallergenic and won’t irritate skin.

• It can give your partner’s penis more breathing room, which some people prefer.

• It can be put in up to 8 hours ahead of time, so you don’t have to interrupt sex.

• The internal ring can rub against your penis and increase pleasure.

• The external ring can rub against your clitoris, also increasing pleasure.

• It puts you in control if your partner doesn’t want to wear a male condom.

Cons of the female condom

• It can be a little intimidating to use, as it’s less common than male condoms.

• It’s only available by prescription, so it can be harder to get.

• It can be more expensive than a male condom. 

• Some people find the female condom noisy or uncomfortable — though lube can help.

It’s also possible for the female condom to get pushed inside your vagina during sex. If this happens, it’s easy to pull it back out. But if there’s already fluid or semen inside the condom, it could potentially leak out. This might increase your risk of pregnancy or STIs. 

If a penis accidentally goes around the side of the female condom, this can also make it less effective. It’s a good idea to hold the outer ring in place when your partner first enters you, to make sure their penis goes into the condom — rather than around it. 

How effective are female condoms?

The female condom is 94% effective against HIV, and it’s 95% effective against pregnancy.

But just like male condoms, female condoms break. 

Common reasons include:

• Using an expired condom

• Accidentally damaging the condom when you open the package

• Accidentally damaging the condom with fingernails, jewelry, or other sharp objects

• Not using the condom correctly

• Using the same condom more than once

What is a dental dam and how is it different from a female condom?

A dental dam (link includes explicit images) is a thin, flexible rectangle that’s used for oral sex. It’s usually made of latex or polyurethane. During oral sex the dental dam acts as a barrier between your mouth and your partner’s vagina or anus. This decreases skin-to-skin contact and fluid transmission, which can help to protect you from oral, vaginal, and anal STIs. 

A dental dam is better for vaginal and anal oral sex than a female condom, because it covers more surface area. But if you’re giving oral on a penis, a male condom is still the best choice. 

What’s the best choice? Female condoms, male condoms, or a dental dam

When used correctly, male and female condoms are both very effective at preventing pregnancy, HIV, and other STIs.

Male condoms are 98.5% effective against HIV, and 98% effective against pregnancy. Both the male and female condom are 66% to 75% effective against other STIs.

Dental dams also provide “barrier” protection against STIs. It’s not clear exactly how effective they are, because no good studies have been done in this area. But organizations like the CDC and Planned Parenthood do recommend using them when you have oral sex.

The best choice of barrier protection for you depends on what type of sexual activity you’ll be using it for:

• Best for fellatio (oral sex on a penis): Male condom  

• Best for cunnilingus (oral sex on the vagina, vulva, and clitoris): Dental dam  

• Best for anilingus (oral sex on the anus): Dental dam 

• Best for vaginal or anal penetration: Male or female condom 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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