Female Condoms

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Important tips

• Be careful not to tear condoms with sharp fingernails or jewelry.
• Use each condom only once.
• Make sure condoms are available and conveniently located. If there are no condoms handy at the time of a sexual encounter, you may be tempted to have intercourse without one.
• Do not use a petroleum-based substance such as Vaseline as a lubricant. These substances break down latex.
• If a condom tears or breaks, if the outer ring is pushed up inside the vagina, or if the condom bunches up inside the vagina during intercourse, remove it and insert another condom immediately.
• When you remove the condom after intercourse, and you notice that it is torn or broken, some sperm may have spilled inside the vagina, increasing your risk of becoming pregnant. Contact your health care provider or pharmacy for information about emergency contraception.
• Do not use a female condom and a male condom at the same time. Friction between them can cause them to bunch up or tear.
• Remove tampons before inserting the condom.