Female condoms

The Female Health Company is the sole manufacturer of the FC Female Condom®. The FC Female Condom® is a safe and effective female-initiated option for both contraception and HIV/STI prevention. The FC Female Condom is a barrier device designed to protect the cervix, vagina, and part of the vulva and perineum. It is highly acceptable to some women and men, and offers good protection against both HIV and other STIs. For more information on the FC Female Condom,® visit www.femalecondom.org.

FC Female Condom®

Female Health Company
The FC Female Condom® (formerly known as Reality in the U.S.) uses a soft, flexible, polyurethane sheath to line the vagina. The sheath is strong but very thin, and each end of the sheath is anchored by a firm, flexible ring. An attached ring on the outer end holds the opening of the sheath outside of the vagina, and a free-floating inner ring aids insertion and holds the device in place during intercourse. The FC Female Condom® comes in only one size. It is available in the United States and in over 100 countries throughout the world.

In 2005, the Female Health Company announced the development of the FC2, a second generation female condom made of nitrile. The FC2  has the same design as the FC and has shown in trials to perform statistically similarly to the first generation FC Female Condom but will be available at one third of the cost. As of August 2006, the World Health Organization's (WHO) has announced that the FC2 has met international standards as a woman-initiated dual protection method against HIV/STI infection and unintended pregnancy. The FC2 is available only in developing countries. 

Other female condom products are currently being developed, but none of these have been approved for use as either contraceptives or HIV/STIs prevention methods.