An Alternative to the Ordinary Condom

I was first exposed to the female condom back in the late 1990s. A friend and I received a sample from Planned Parenthood workers as they were handing out contraceptives on the green in Downtown New Haven.

Being a teen/young adult, safe sex was definitely a hot topic. It was being belted from every corner and every block. It wasn’t necessarily for the prevention of STDs but for the prevention of pregnancy as teen pregnancies were at a high. However, oral birth control and condoms were the contraceptives of choice and the ones being talked about.

The female condom has been around since the 1980s. Its current version, the FC2 Female Condom is made out of a nitrile and is designed as a ringed sheath which is inserted into the vagina. If used correctly, it can be up to 95% effective as a method of birth control and also as effective in the protection of STDs.

For me, the conversations about sex have evolved. Maybe its due to maturity, resources or a bit of both as I now reside in Atlanta and am a tad bit older..just a tad. Empowering myself and others is a very important part of my personal and professional life. I believe that someone’s sexual encounters are not just encounters but the ingredients of one’s sexual dynasty. A dynasty that you create and control. Being just a mere speck in the universe, I have been blessed to be surrounded by others with the same mindset. So it wasn’t hard to find someone who could provide some insight on their experience using the FC2 Female Condom. I interviewed Kendra back in September of this year shortly after her first experience using the female condom. Kendra’s interview is below:

Pasha B: Kendra, I want to thank you for being the human guinea pig and helping us bring the topic of the female condom to the Ordinary People family.

Kendra: (laughing) It was all in the name of research.

Pasha B: How did you feel about the female condom prior to using it? Was it a contraceptive option for you?

Kendra: I can’t say that I had an opinion about it. I never considered it as an option until I was presented with trying it for this article.

Pasha B: Did you have a conversation prior to using the condom with your partner?

Kendra: Yes, it was presented to him as like of an experiment and I requested that he be genuine and provide candid feedback on the experience.

Pasha B: So I know that the condom can be inserted ahead of time, how soon before copulation did you place the condom?

Kendra: I inserted the condom approximately 1 hour before sex when I knew my partner was on his way to my home.

Pasha B: What was your overall experience from being to end? What rating would you give FC2 on a scale of 1-5?

Kendra: I would rate my experience an overall 3. I think it’s a practice that would take some time getting conformable with. Inserting the condom was a bit awkward as my usual contraceptive choice is male condoms. The whole sexual act seemed deliberate. The internal ring did provide pleasurable stimulation that I wasn’t expecting.

Pasha B: Deliberate, explain?

Kendra: During penetration, we both were making sure the condom stayed in place, during we kind of kept checking its placement. It was distracting.

Pasha B: Any feedback from your partner?

Kendra: He was a newbie to the female condom. He said it was alright experience but definitely feels more comfortable using male condoms. He felt the condom lacked the lubrication he was used to which contributed to less pleasurable friction.

Pasha B: Would you use it again?

Kendra: Ahh, I would. I probably would use it one more time to compare it to the first experience.

End.

We want to thank Kendra for sharing her experience with the FC2. Below are some additional things to consider if this article has perked your interest in the female condom.

Pros.

• The female condom can be used to take charge of your sexual health and dynasty as you control the who and when aspect of protection.
• It’s a viable alternative if you have a mate who doesn’t like using male condoms.
• Due to the design, the inner ring can greatly heighten pleasure for the female.
• The FC2 Female Condom is usually available for $0 copay with most insurance plans.

Cons.

• Introducing the female condom can be a difficult discussion to have with a partner who has no experience with them.
• Female condoms are not readily obtainable in some areas.
• For a more pleasurable male experience, lubrication is definitely suggested.
• A prescription is needed to receive the contraceptive at no cost. However,  for convenience, a prescription can be obtained by using the “Hey Doctor” app.

Overall ,the FC2  Female Condom should be considered as a viable contraceptive for those who are taking full ownership of their sexual dynasty. FC2 is FDA approved and is the only female contraceptive that not only prevents pregnancy, but also STIs. The FC2 Female Condom may be available at stores locally but can be purchased online directly from www.fc2femalecondom.com, obtained from your local Planned Parenthood or your at local pharmacy with a prescription.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pasha Barnett currently resides in Atlanta and is a freelance writer, founder of Ordinary People Media and host of RealTalk with Pasha B. Podcast. Feel free to contact her at pashab@ordinarypeoplemedia.com.