My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Female Condom
The female condom is a sheath usually made out of polyurethane. You use it differently than the male condom. You put it inside the vagina, not over the penis, before sex. A ring on the condom keeps it in place and covers the outside genital area of a woman.
Risk of pregnancy
This is a moderately effective method of birth control. The risk of pregnancy with the female condom is about 21 percent, so it is less effective than the male one.
Advantages
- The female condom is good protection against many STDs, including HIV.
- You can buy female condoms at most drug stores and supermarkets.
Disadvantages
- You have to put it on before you start any sexual activity, so the female condom can feel like an interruption when you are in the mood for sex.
- A woman must feel comfortable about inserting it into her vagina.
- The risk of pregnancy is even higher than with the male condom. Other methods of birth control are more effective.
How to use a female condom
The female condom has a ring at each end. One ring, at the closed end of the sheath, goes inside the vagina. The other ring, at the open end of the sheath, stays outside the vagina.
To insert the female condom
- Squeeze the small ring and insert it into the vagina so it is behind the pubic bone. Leave the large ring outside the vagina.
- If you'd like, you can put lubricant or spermicidal lubricant into the pouch.
To remove the female condom
- Remove the female condom by twisting to make sure the ejaculate (semen) is kept inside, pulling it out of the vagina and throwing it away.
Do not use a female condom and a male condom at the same time. The friction caused when two condoms are used at the same time can cause one or both condoms to break.
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.