Female Condoms, A Great Contraceptive Choice for Indian Youth

Highlights

The female condom is a birth control (contraceptive) device.

It is inserted vaginally to reduce the risk of both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

However, it is also an under-utilized one.

Women’s control over the wearing of the female condom reduces their stress and allows them to enjoy the experience.

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For the uninitiated, a female condom is among the various available contraceptive barrier methods available. However it is also the under-utilized one. The female condom — also called an internal condom — is a birth control (contraceptive) device that acts as a barrier to keep sperm from entering the uterus. It is a highly effective contraceptive method that can be inserted vaginally to reduce the risk of both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

One of the most commonly reported worries about pregnancy and STI concerns often prevent people from fully enjoying sexual pleasure. Also most men and women have seen the female condom before, or heard of it.

Female condoms are not as popular as male condoms, which could be due to the lack of availability, higher price, and/or preference. Female condoms are not generally available in grocery stores, drug stores, or in vending machines. Their sale is usually limited to specialty stores, some pharmacies and reproductive health centers, or online retailers.

How do u insert a female condom?

A female condom is inserted in the vagina. Find yourself, a comfortable position. While holding outside of condom at closed end, squeeze sides of inner ring together with your thumb and forefinger Insert the ring as high as possible into your vaginal canal. It’s similar to inserting a menstrual cup or tampon. Use your finger to ensure that the condom is deep inside of your vagina. Using your finger, push inner ring as far up till it rests against cervix. The rim of the condom opening should rest just outside of the vaginal opening.This can be inserted for upto 8 hours before having sex.

A study was done to explore the views of Indian women and men who participated in a brief intervention using the female condom on their experiences in relation to sexual pleasure, sexual satisfaction, and their overall acceptability.

Here are a few pros and cons listed below from the study’s findings about use of female condoms based on the feedback of trial group.

Advantages

Women feel empowered, as they do not need to wait for male partners to provide protection or to negotiate wearing a condom

Its ability to reduce the risk of a range of STIs due to the coverage offered both inside and outside of the vagina and on parts of the vulva

The ability to discard the barrier method and prevent contact with male ejaculate, for hygienic reasons and ease of clean up helped them enjoy sex with their partners especially for sex workers.

Female condom can increase pleasure through alleviating stress related to the risks of pregnancy or STI transmission.

Some men enjoy how the female condom prolonged sex due to the use of a barrier method, which increases their pleasure.

Female condoms they can be used with all types of lubricants. Test for latex allergy, however.

Disadvantages

The limited literature focused on the acceptability of female condoms in India has not addressed sexual pleasure. Discussions of sexual pleasure in relation to the female condom are less common.

When female condoms are introduced in traditionally patriarchal cultures, price is generally reported as a concern, as well as the lack of trust if women are the ones to introduce it to their partner.

Insertion of the female condom can be a challenging part of the experience for most participants.

The barrier and thickness of the material may reduce sensation (which for some may be a drawback, for others it’s beneficial by prolonging sex) but the design enhances sensation by allowing for more movement of the female condom on the penis compared to the male condom.

Some users reported that their partner could feel the inner ring and this caused friction, which caused pain or discomfort for some

Due to the firmer material of the ring, male partners can feel occasional discomfort in rubbing against it during penetration.

Since partners cannot always be trusted to use a male condom (e.g. because of intoxication, wanting full sensation, and not having a male condom available), women’s control over the wearing of the female condom reduces their stress and allows them to enjoy the experience. This can be the greatest factor for using a female condom as a contraceptive choice. With some practice, insertion can be perfected.

In India, female condoms an be bought online through Amazon or Flipkart.

Have you ever tried a female condom? Tell us your experience here.

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Pride. Greed. Lust. Envy. Gluttony. Wrath. Sloth.

Taught in the confines of our homes, mentioned in a school book, or incorporated in religion: the seven deadly sins are introduced to us all at a young age. The seven sins, aka the seven categorized behaviours and feelings, are evil and inspire more sin.

Today, how about we focus on one of those very sins – lust. Is it truly a sin, and does it belong up there among those other vices? Let’s find out.

First Off, What Is Lust?

To put it simply – lust is having a strong desire for something or someone. One could be lusting after an attractive person or even a premium sports car. But, in most cases, lust is sexual. Sexual lust is when you’re increasingly focused on a person’s body and looks. You experience intense sexual desire and are motivated more by lust than love.

Do Women Even Lust?

There are several people (women included) who dismiss women’s lust as something unreal and non-existent. To them, lust is something only men encounter and struggle with. Sexual fantasies, porn, masturbation – all of these are considered to be adhering to men alone. If you hold a similar opinion and are reading this article, here’s a little newsflash: YES, women lust too and experience temptations just as men do!

I find it particularly amusing that when you resort to Google to know what lust is, most examples and statements depict men lusting for women. Information on women, their sexual desires, and lusty feelings are barely captured online. This might not sound like a big deal, but it does have adverse effects. The lack of conversation around girls and women lusting after someone or something deems it likely a taboo. The women who experience such feelings find themselves lost and torn, so much so that they sometimes even punish themselves for “sinning”.

So, Is Lust And Lusting A Sin?

Girls, tell me if you have ever felt like this: you are watching a movie or tv show and suddenly a hot, physically attractive, almost naked man (or for those who swing the other way – an attractive woman) appears. You begin to feel a certain sense of excitement and desire looking at said person. Well, that is lust for you – but is feeling this way a sin? Absolutely NOT. And no, this isn’t just limited to fictional characters you see in movies or read about in books. If you find yourself lusting after someone you know in real life or the person you’re dating, do know that it’s entirely normal!

Staying Silent Doesn’t Help

When we are young girls, or even as we grow into young adults, women’s sexual desires are entirely untold and unheard of. The only conversations that suddenly come into existence are when we are to be married. That is when we are encouraged to cater to and satisfy our husband’s needs. “Always let your husband initiate sex and simply offer your body for sex”. It’s so disheartening to see how society completely fails to recognize how horrible an impact this has on women.

Not only does it cause sexual frustration but, it also leaves many girls confused, struggling, and under confident about their sexuality. We begin to associate lustful thoughts with shame and create a negative image of sex itself in our minds. Sometimes, marriages fail as women are suddenly unable to switch their feelings on lust and sexuality overnight!

Embrace Your Desires!

If you find yourself thinking about sex, satisfaction, your sexual desires, try not to evade these thoughts. Embrace the lust, embrace those desires, and create a safe space for yourself as well as those around you. Reach out to those you trust in to express your feelings. Your girl gang and best friends can be great people to share your thoughts with and express yourself freely without fear of judgement.

Whether you’re a sister, wife, mother, young or old, whether you are married or unmarried – know that there is no expiry date on lust and feelings. Acknowledge and accept lust as natural biological feelings that are meant to be experienced. Just remember not to negatively harm or hurt another person’s feelings in this process.

The bottom line? There is nothing “dirty” about expressing or owning your sexuality. And if anyone says that lust is a sin, send them the link to this article. And just get that vibrator you’ve been eyeing for so long, girl!

Featured Image Credit: Ankita Sancheti