About Female Condoms
The female condom is the only tool currently available designed to offer woman-initiated protection against STIs, HIV, and unplanned pregnancy. It also plays an important role as a risk reduction tool for people of all genders who engage in anal sex.
Though only a handful of female condom products are available in private and public sectors globally, the field is expanding. New products are being developed for women and men who engage in receptive sex, including one specifically designed for anal sex.
Today, the FC2 is the most widely distributed female condom globally and is the only one available in the United States. The chart below tells more about the FC2 and shows the two other female condoms available in other countries—the Woman’s Condom and the Cupid.
| FC2 | Woman’s Condom | Cupid | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
|
| Also known as | Reality, Femidon, Protectiv, Care | O’lavie | |
| Manufacturer | The Female Health Company | Shanghai Dahua Medical Apparatus Company, China | Cupid, Ltd. |
| Where is this condom available? | This is the only female condom approved by for use in the United States. Registered and/or distributed in 130 countries. | Limited distribution in China. | Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Mozambique, the Netherlands, and South Africa |
| Regulatory status | CE marking. WHO prequalified, 2012. U.S.FDA approved, 2009. | CE marking. Shanghai FDA approval. Under WHO review for prequalification. | CE marking. Registered within Brazilian regulatory agency (ANVISA). |
| How is this condom used? | For vaginal use, squeeze the inner ring of the FC2 between thumb and middle finger and insert into vagina. Use index finger to guide the ring behind the pubic bone. The ring will open up when you release it inside the vagina and will fit snugly against the cervix. There are two options for anal use. Option 1: Squeeze inner ring of FC2 between thumb and middle finger and insert into the anus. Guide the condom into the rectum, and leave about 1 inch of the condom outside the body, covering the anal opening. Option 2: Remove inner ring and condom over partner's penis or toy. Add lubricant and enter slowly. | The Woman’s Condom is a polyurethane pouch partially enclosed in a capsule to aid insertion. Insert the capsule into the vagina. The capsule will dissolve, and the pouch will unfold in the vaginal canal. The condom is secured to the vaginal walls by foam pads. The outer ring rest outside of the vaginal opening, covering the external genitalia. | To insert the Cupid female condom, squeeze the end of the condom containing the sponge with two fingers. Insert the end with the sponge inside the vaginal opening and push the condom inside the vagina as far as it will go so it rests against the cervix. Make sure the sponge opens once it is inserted. The outer ring remains outside of the vagina. |
| What is this condom made of? | Nitrile (synthetic latex), pre-lubricated with a silicone-based lube | Polyurethane | Natural rubber latex, pre-lubricated with a silicone-based lube |
| What about lube? | The FC2 comes pre-lubricated with a non-spermicidal, silicone- based lubricant. Additional oil-based or water-based lubricants can be added on the inside and outside of FC2. Unlike male condoms made of latex, oil-based lubes will not degrade the quality of the FC2 because it is made out of a synthetic rubber. | The Woman’s Condom does not come with lubricant already applied. A small sachet of water-based lubricant is supplied with the condom to be applied when a couple uses the condom. | The Cupid comes pre-lubricated with a non-spermicidal, silicone based lubricant. If additional lube is needed, only water-based lube should be used, as oil-based lube will degrade the condom. |