CONDOMS

Condoms - you either love them, hate them, or see them for what they are: a necessary component of practicing safe sex. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, there is no denying that the protection and peace of mind a condom offers is worth the hassle and expense of buying and using them. But sometimes the frustrations that come with using a condom can be discouraging. Seriously, who wants to spend 20 minutes convincing a guy that yes, they have to wear a condom.

fc2-3d-box

What if there was another option? One that put you more in control of when and how you practiced safe sex. One that can be just as effective, but made from a material that is thinner and stronger than latex. Well surprise, surprise there is: the female condom, FC2. Female condoms aren’t talked about much (yet), but they offer a method of safe sex that eliminates some of the hassle of male condoms and makes it much easier for women to take control of their own sexual health. And really, we should all be in control of our own sexual health. Here’s the lowdown on why you definitely want to try using a female condom.

1

FEMALE CONDOMS ARE
95 - 98% EFFECTIVE

Comparable to male condoms, the FC2 female condom offers a high rate of protection against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. With over 20 types of STIs around today, being conscious about having safe sex is more important than ever. Even if you’re in a monogamous relationship, protecting yourself and your future from a pregnancy that you aren’t ready for gets even easier when you have a method of contraception that offers such high protection rates. If you use it as a backup method to birth control, your risk gets even lower. Low risk of pregnancy and STIs equals more fun in bed!

2

THEY ARE A
REIMBURSABLE FORM
OF CONTRACEPTION

Yes, you read that right. While you have to go to the store and gaze in confusion at the dozens of male condom options - magnum, flavored, ribbed for her pleasure - and then purchase them out-of- pocket, female condoms are 100% reimbursable as a contraceptive method. Your doctor can prescribe them to you! How’s that for changing the game?

3

THEY ARE MADE FROM
NON-LATEX MATERIALS

Traditional latex condoms can pose several problems. Some people may experience a full blown allergic reaction to latex, while others have an increased sensitivity that makes using latex condoms more than a little uncomfortable. Female condoms eliminate this problem because they are made from nitrile, a material that is three times stronger, but thinner than latex. Adios, dude who swears he can’t use a condom due to his allergies!

4

FEMALE CONDOMS
CAN BE USED WITH OIL
AND WATER-BASED
LUBRICANTS

When you use a regular condom, you have to be careful about which lubricants you use. Oil- based lubes can wear down the latex on a male condom, making them ineffective. With female condoms, you can stick to your natural lubrication, use just the amount present in the condom, or slather up with your favorite water or oil-based lube for even more slippery fun. It won’t affect the experience or the effectiveness!

5

THEY CAN BE INSERTED
BEFORE INTERCOURSE

The whole “do you have a condom?” dance can turn what was going to be a steamy night full of sex into an awkward trip to the store, or worse, a night at home watching Friends reruns with no orgasm in sight. Since the female condom can be inserted before you even head out for your date, you can avoid the awkward conversation altogether. When it’s time to get down, just show him how to slide his penis into the condom. Win-win!

6

ONE SIZE FITS ALL

One of the top complaints from men about condoms is that they don’t fit well. They’re either too snug or too loose, and finding one that’s “just right” can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. While the female condom is the same length as a male condom, it’s a bit wider, making it ideal for men of all girths.

7

THE OUTER RING OF THE
FEMALE CONDOM CAN
PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION
- AND STIMULATION

Male condoms protect his penis and your internal genitals. Female condoms? They offer all that and then some. The outer ring provides a bit of extra protection on your external genitals, and to make the deal even sweeter, rubbing the outer ring on your clitoris during intercourse can provide some extra stimulation. And since some women can’t orgasm from vaginal intercourse alone, this really works out in your favor!

8

FEMALE CONDOMS ARE
HORMONE-FREE

It seems as though there are hormones in nearly everything. From what we have for breakfast to our birth control, we’re always on the lookout for ways we can reduce our exposure to hormones that are not only unnecessary, but harmful. The female condom is proudly hormone-free, meaning you won’t have any yucky side effects.

9

MEN DON’T HAVE TO HAVE
AN ERECTION THE
WHOLE TIME

Ok, in an ideal world, his erection would last as long as it takes you both to orgasm, and not end a second sooner. But sometimes, men have a hard time (no pun intended, promise), well… staying hard. When using a male condom, this means you have to take it off and start all over. The female condom can be used even if he loses his erection. Yep, you can keep on going!

10

IT’S IN YOUR HANDS

It’s often left up to the male to provide the condom, which can leave women in a situation that- to say the least - can be uncomfortable. You’re not willing to compromise your sexual health for a romp in the sheets, but you don’t want to miss out on the fun. Having male condoms with you is great, but it presents the issues of him being allergic or experiencing an errant fit (and a bad fit can make a condom practically useless). When you have a female condom with you, you’re taking the night - and your health - into your own hands. And really, isn’t that where it belongs?