Internal condom

Female condom, femidom.

A soft pouch placed inside the vagina (or anus) before sex. It is made from nitrile (non-latex plastic) and has two flexible rings to hold it in place.

• Preventing pregnancy.
• Reducing transmission of STIs.

The internal condom lines the vagina and covers part of the external genitals, creating a barrier between bodily fluids. It collects semen so that sperm do not enter the vagina and cannot fertilise an egg.

It also reduces exposure to STIs by limiting contact with bodily fluids.

It can be placed in the vagina (or anus) a number of hours before having sex, if desired. Check the packet for specific timing.

As soon as the internal condom is correctly placed in the vagina, it starts working straight away to prevent pregnancy. However, it must be in place before any genital contact occurs.

Typical use: 79% effective.

Perfect use: 95% effective.

• Make sure the internal condom hasn’t expired.
• Open the packet carefully, making sure not to tear the internal condom.
• Place the internal condom in the vagina or anus before any genital contact occurs.
• Insert it correctly so the inner ring sits inside the vagina, and the outer ring stays outside the body.
• Make sure the internal condom is not twisted.
• Guide the penis into the internal condom every time.
• Use a new internal condom each time you have sex (if having sex multiple times in a row) and if switching between different types of sex (for example, vaginal to anal sex).
• Remove it carefully after sex, ensuring semen doesn’t spill out or come in contact with genitals. Throw it in the bin, don’t flush it down the toilet.
• Do not use it together with an external condom.

Lubricant (lube) can be used with the internal condom to decrease the chance of the condom breaking, slipping or bunching up. It comes pre-lubed, but more can be added. The internal condom can be used with water, oil or silicone-based lubricants.

The effectiveness of the internal condom can be reduced if:

• they are not used every time you have sex
• they are not used from start to finish — putting it in after sex has started, or removing it before sex has finished
• they are not inserted correctly
• the penis is not guided into it — this can cause the penis to enter under the internal condom instead of inside it
• they slip, bunch up or move out of place during sex
• they break or are damaged — this can happen if they are opened with a sharp object (like fingernails, teeth or jewellery) or if used after the expiry date
• they are used with the external condom — using an internal and external condom together can cause breakage due to friction
• they are not stored correctly — heat or damage to the packaging can weaken the condom

Yes. When used correctly, internal condoms protect against STIs. However, they are less effective than external condoms.

A new internal condom needs to be used each time you have sex, from start to finish. Internal condoms are single use only and should never be reused.

You should also use a new internal condom if:

• sex continues after ejaculation
• the condom breaks, slips, moves out of place or is taken out
• you switch between different types of sex

If you use internal condoms, both you and your partner(s) will be aware, as internal condoms are used at the time of sex and require partner involvement.

Most people have no side effects when using internal condoms, but a small number of people may notice mild side effects such as:

• skin irritation in the vagina, vulva, penis or anus, often due to friction. This can usually be improved by using more lubricant
• allergic reactions are rare, but could cause itching, redness or swelling

Most people can use internal condoms safely. They may not be suitable if you are sensitive or allergic to the material that they are made from, or if you find insertion difficult.

Internal condoms do not require a prescription and can be bought at:

• some pharmacies across Australia
• some sexual and reproductive health clinics
• online stores

The internal condom is not as widely available as the external condom and may be harder to find.

Internal condoms cost between $2–9 each.

No, internal condoms have no impact on your future fertility. You could fall pregnant as soon as you stop using this method.

Internal condoms can be safely used straight away after having a baby.