Internal condom (FC2): Frequency Asked Questions
What types of lube are safe to use with latex condoms?
Both water-based and silicone-based lubricants are totally safe to use with latex condoms. Steer clear of oil-based lubricants (including massage oil, hand lotion, and Vaseline) that can cause condoms to break.
Is anal sex safer than vaginal sex?
Anal sex might seem like a viable option if you're concerned about pregnancy or losing your virginity in the traditional vaginal penetration sense; however, unprotected anal sex poses one of the highest sexually transmitted infection (STI) risks. The anal cavity is comprised of permeable mucous membranes which can provide an entry point for infection. Due to the nature of sexual activity involving the anus, small tears and cuts are common—especially if you're not using enough lube—so, additional points of entry present infection opportunities.
To protect yourself while having anal sex, use condoms or internal condoms with the inner ring removed.Is the internal condom supposed to make a squeaking noise?
Lube may be the answer here. Try using a bit of lube and see if it gets any quieter.
Can I tell if someone else has an STI?
No. It'd be great if you could tell who had an STI (sexually transmitted infection, a.k.a. STD) and who didn't, but the most common symptom of all STIs is no symptom at all. STIs are often asymptomatic or display such mild symptoms they go unnoticed and/or are mistaken for something else. For that reason, most people with an STI are unaware they have one.When STIs are asymptomatic or exhibiting mild symptoms, they're still transmittable to others—and there's no guarantee the STI will remain asymptomatic in the newly infected individual. Recognizable symptom or not, STIs can wreak havoc internally long before we're aware of their effects; untreated asymptomatic STIs can pose long-term health risks like liver damage (eg. Hepatitis) and infertility (eg. Chlamydia and gonorrhea).
To protect yourself against STIs, use condoms or internal condoms.Can I reuse a condom?
Condoms are definitely not reusable. You need to put on a new one each and every time you have sex.
How effective are internal condoms at preventing pregnancy?
That all depends how they’re used. With perfect use they are around 95% effective, but the way they’re typically used you can expect around them to be closer to 79% effective.
In other words:
Of those women who use the internal condom exactly as directed, about 5 in 100 will experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year they use this method.
Of those women who do not use the internal condom exactly as directed, about 21 in 100 will experience an accidental pregnancy during the first year they use this method.
What if the internal condom keeps getting stuck to my partner's penis?
Lube may be the answer here. Try using a bit of lube and see if it still gets stuck.
Is my partner supposed to feel the inner ring of the internal condom?
If your partner can feel the inner ring, you may not have it pushed far enough into your vagina. So try pushing it in a little farther.
How do you remove a internal condom?
Check out our section on how to remove a internal condom.
Is the internal condom hard to insert?
Inserting an internal condom should get easier the more you do it. You should try practicing when it’s not the heat of the moment.
