Risks

Up to 21 out of 100 women will become pregnant in a year of typical use of female condoms — possibly because they don't use condoms every time they have sex.

The female condom has a higher failure rate than the male condom. Condom failure means it's possible to contract sexually transmitted infections or become pregnant. The female condom may not protect you if:

• The condom breaks
• The condom slips out of the vagina
• The penis slips between the vagina and the outer surface of the condom
• The outer ring of the condom gets pushed into the vagina during sex

The female condom may also cause discomfort during insertion, a burning sensation, itching or a rash.