How Do Female (Internal) Condoms 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 (FC2), or internal condom. The female condom is easy to use and is just as effective as the male condom, but you do need a prescription to get one.

Let’s take a closer look at what the female condom is, how female condoms work, and how to use it properly.

What is a female condom?

The female condom is a reliable form of birth control and protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The female condom is technically only FDA approved for vaginal sex. But people often use it for anal sex as well. It’s similar to the male condom. Instead of going on the penis, though, you tuck it inside the vagina or anus. The brand available in the U.S. is the FC2 Female Condom. The FC2 Female Condom is latex free and can be used for vaginal or anal sex. 

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. This can help keep you safe from STIs and unwanted pregnancy. 

How to insert a female condom

You may be asking yourself: How do you insert a female condom? If so, you’re not alone. Female condoms can be a little intimidating if you haven’t used one before. Here’s how to insert a female condom in six simple steps.

• Step 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. 

• Step 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). 

• Step 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.

• Step 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 your body.

• Step 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. 

• Step 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).

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 pictures of the female condom using the CDC’s step-by-step illustrated guide (links include explicit content). 

How to use a female (internal) condom properly (Do’s and don’ts)

When using a female condom, there are some important things to make sure you do — and don’t do.

Don’ts

And here are things to avoid doing:

• Don’t reuse a female condom. These are meant to be single-use. To provide the best protection, dispose of the female condom after each sex act. 

• Don’t use a male condom and female condom at the same time. This can create extra friction and make it more likely that one or both will break.

• Don’t flush a female condom. This may clog or damage your sewage system. Used female condoms should be thrown away in the trash.

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Are there different types of female condoms?

No. The FC2 is the only female condom available in the U.S. It 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. 

Pros and cons of the female condom

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

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 sex 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.

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 

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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:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

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