Female condoms: Shifting the burden of safe sex to women?

[LadyBug02]

Hindustan Latex is all set to market the female condom, particularly to sex workers. NACO is partnering with 61 NGOs across six states to reach out to 60,000 female sex workers. Sex workers in Hyderabad, where the condom was tested, say it gives them a sense of control over their bodies

The onus of responsibility for safe sexual behaviour has now shifted squarely onto the shoulders of women. NACO (National Aids Control Organisation) and the Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT) have joined hands to promote the female condom as an alternative to the male condom, especially since there are innumerable cases being cited by housewives, sex workers and single women of male partners refusing to use condoms.

http://www.infochangeindia.org/features457.jsp

I believe that female condoms are helping to shift the burden of safe sex from being a male only thing to a female thing as well. However, it is to be noted that a lot of times it is the female who takes the responsibility of buying male condoms as well.

[Brandye]

The World Health Organization has been testing program with female condoms for many years. In many parts of the world, the men will not, so it is up to the women to. They "empower women" but do not shift the burden of safe se. The same studies I cited elsewhere on finding sperm in vaginas after condom protected sex also found that to be more common with the female caondom than with regular ones. Be careful what you post.

[eminatic]

yeah...last time i checked, the female condom had a significantly lower effectiveness than the male condom...

[browneyedgirl]

I understand what Brandye and Eminatic are saying about female condoms being less effective at reducing pregnancy, but it seems like the main point in the article is reducing risk of AIDS. Plus, if you are going to be having sex anyway, some protection is better than none.

[Brandye]

Agreed. But if semen is going to end up in the vagina, the protection is not there. I support female condoms and their distribution for exactly what you point out. A woman should do whatever is necessary to protect herself and the female condom is one tool.

With female condoms I recommend vaginal jelly in the vagina AND in the condom. I have "tested" and a couple men did say they feel more real than male condoms. This is mainly because they do not move with the penis, rather then penis moves inside them - and us.

[LadyBug02]

Originally Posted by Brandye

Agreed. But if semen is going to end up in the vagina, the protection is not there. I support female condoms and their distribution for exactly what you point out. A woman should do whatever is necessary to protect herself and the female condom is one tool.

With female condoms I recommend vaginal jelly in the vagina AND in the condom. I have "tested" and a couple men did say they feel more real than male condoms. This is mainly because they do not move with the penis, rather then penis moves inside them - and us.

I would also recommend a spermicide both inside the vagina and inside the female condom. No condom (whether female or male) is perfect and therefore extra precautions should be taken. However, the female condom is less reliable than the male condom and therefore extra precautions need to be taken with it in order to prevent pregnancy. However, if it is at all possible, I would strongly recommend using a male condom as well.

[LadyBug02]

Originally Posted by Brandye

The World Health Organization has been testing program with female condoms for many years. In many parts of the world, the men will not, so it is up to the women to. They "empower women" but do not shift the burden of safe se. The same studies I cited elsewhere on finding sperm in vaginas after condom protected sex also found that to be more common with the female caondom than with regular ones. Be careful what you post.

I apologise if I posted anything inaccurate.

[Spicygirl82]

Originally Posted by ashok

if u want protection use a male condom ..............its da best....njoy sex wid condom on ..i love it...condoms hav different flavours n diff varities.....

Some people don't enjoy using male condoms during intercourse. My boyfriend and I are one of those couples. He can't hardly feel anything when we have sex and he's wearing a condom. And yes, we have tried many different types of condoms. We have also used lubricant as well to try and make it easier on both him and I. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work for us. Plus, I think I may have a mild latex allergy now. Every time him and I have intercourse and he uses a condom, I end up with a mild burning sensation on my genitals. I am almost certain I don't have an infection because there is no odd smell down there or anything so I am not worried about that.

My boyfriend and I are monogamous so we have decided that I am going to switch from the Depo Provera shot to the Implanon implant. I was on the Depo Provera shot for a while but then went off of it. I am now scheduled to get the Implanon implant on Tuesday.

[Spicygirl82]

Well then, I won't be getting Implanon after all. According to WebMD, Implanon may not be as effective in very overweight or obese people. Well, I am 100 lbs or more overweight so I am not going to be taking the risk. I will stick with the Depo Provera shot.

[Brandye]

Chose what you will, Spicy, but do think through what that extra hundred pounds is costing you in the long term.