Female condoms: how they work and how to use one

A female condom is a thin, soft pouch that you put inside the vagina before sex. It has a ring at each end: the inner ring helps you put it in, and the outer ring stays outside the vagina. It lines the vagina and stops semen and other fluids passing between you and your partner.

A few things to know:

• the name: the NHS now calls them internal condoms, and says they can be used in the vagina or the anus
• the material: almost all are made of thin, soft plastic or synthetic rubber, but some are made of latex, so check the packet if you have a latex allergy
• not the same as a dam: a dam is a thin square used to cover the vagina or anus during oral sex, and it isn’t a method of contraception

Condoms are the only type of contraception that also protects against STIs.

Used correctly every time, female condoms are up to 95% effective at preventing pregnancy. With the mistakes that happen in real life, it’s 79%, which means around 1 in 5 women who use them for a year will get pregnant. Here’s how they compare with male condoms:

The NHS says a female condom is less effective if:

• you put it in after the penis has touched the vagina
• it splits or moves out of place during sex
• the penis goes into the vagina outside the condom

For STIs, female condoms protect about as well as male condoms during vaginal sex. That’s what UK guidelines say, although most of the research is old.

• you can put it in ahead of time: up to 8 hours before sex, so you don’t have to stop in the moment
• it doesn’t depend on an erection: a male condom can only go on once the penis is erect
• most are latex free: so they’re an option if you have a latex allergy, but check the packet
• no prescription or fitting: you can buy them online and from pharmacies and supermarkets
• no hormones: and you only use one when you have sex
• it works with other contraception: you can use one alongside the pill, implant or injection for extra protection against STIs

A female condom also gives you a way to protect yourself that doesn’t rely on your partner wearing a condom.

• it can move: a female condom can slip or get pushed into the vagina if it isn’t used properly
• it’s slightly less effective for preventing pregnancy: up to 95%, compared with up to 98% for male condoms
• it’s harder to find: fewer places stock them, and they can cost more than male condoms
• it takes practice: it may take a couple of tries to get used to putting one in

None of these is a reason not to try one.

The NHS gives these steps:

1. Open the packet carefully so you don’t damage the condom. Don’t use your teeth.
2. Hold the inner ring and put the condom into your vagina.
3. Put a finger into the condom and push it as far into your vagina as you can.
4. Make sure the outer ring stays outside your vagina.
5. During sex, make sure the penis goes inside the condom.
6. After sex, twist the outer ring a few times so semen doesn’t leak out when you take the condom out.
7. Put the used condom in the bin, not down the toilet.

To get the most protection:

• use a new one every time you have sex
• check the packet for a CE or UKCA mark and a use by date that hasn’t passed
• never use a female condom and a male condom at the same time, as this can make one or both split
• use water-based or silicone-based lubricant if you want extra. Oil-based lubricant damages latex condoms

Yes, but less is known about how well it works. The NHS says that when they’re used correctly for anal sex, internal condoms may help protect against STIs, but there isn’t enough evidence to say how much protection they offer.

You can put it into the anus with your finger, or put it on the penis or a sex toy in the same way as a male condom. Always use lubricant on the outside and inside of the condom.

If a female condom splits, leaks or moves out of place, act quickly:

• emergency contraception: needs to be used within 3 to 5 days of sex, depending on the type, and works better the sooner you use it. A coil (IUD) is the most effective type
• HIV PEP: if there’s a risk of HIV, emergency medicine called PEP has to be started within 72 hours. Get urgent medical care and ask about it
• an STI test: a test taken too soon can miss an infection. You can test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea from 2 weeks after sex, and sooner if you have symptoms

Read more in “My condom broke. What should I do now? First steps and when to test”

No. No condom covers all the skin around your genitals, so some infections can still be passed on:

• Herpes and genital warts spread through skin-to-skin contact, including with skin a condom doesn’t cover
• Syphilis spreads through contact with a sore, which can be on or around the genitals, bottom or mouth

That’s why regular testing matters, even if you always use condoms. Read more in “Can you still get an STI if you wear a condom?”

Better2Know offers:

• Full Screen: tests for 7 infections, including HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea, from 28 days after sex, with results in 3 days (5 days for the home test). You can book it at one of our clinics or order a Full Screen home test.
• Peace of Mind: tests for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Syphilis from 14 days after sex, with results in 2 days.
• Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea (Vaginal Swab): for women, a swab you take yourself, from 14 days after sex, with results in 2 days.

If you test before 45 days, a negative HIV result needs a repeat test. A Syphilis test in the first 3 months after sex can miss the infection, so you may need a repeat test. Not sure which test you need? Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Are female condoms and internal condoms the same thing?

Yes. Internal condom is the name the NHS now uses for female condoms.

Can you use a female condom and a male condom together?

No. Using both at once can make one or both of them split.

Can you use a female condom during your period?

Yes. UK guidance says condoms can be used during your period.

Female condoms are a useful alternative to male condoms. They’re up to 95% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly every time, they help protect against STIs, and you can put one in well before sex. They’re harder to find and take a little practice, but they give you another way to protect yourself.

If a condom has failed, or you’ve had sex without one, book a Full Screen at a clinic near you or order a home test kit. Our Patient Care Team is available 24/7 on 020 7099 0955.

Not in the UK? Choose your country from the selector at the top of the page for local tests and prices.

This article originally appeared on 1 October 2021 and was last updated on 3 October 2026.

This article is general information and not a substitute for personal medical advice.

Sources

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