Do you know the female condom?

The main advantage of the female condom? It enables the woman to no longer depend on their partner to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. A method of contraception that is not well known yet ...
What is the contraceptive reliability of the female condom?

Like her male counterpart, the female condom is a contraceptive. It is used to prevent pregnancy in the absence of other contraceptives. Its reliability is comparable to that of the male condom.

The risk of pregnancy ranges from 2.6% in case of proper use in practice 10% (respectively, 2% and 12% for male condoms). But still less than the best known alternatives such as the pill or IUD.

The female condom he protects STI?

Female condoms also offer protection against STIs - including against HIV (which causes AIDS). This is obviously not the case of the pill or IUD. They also reduce the transmission of HPV (which causes cervical cancer of the uterus), but does not avoid it completely.

Also beware, the female condom does not entirely cover the labia minora. It does not offer very good protection against herpes or or against HPV (also responsible for genital warts) which can also be transmitted from skin to skin.

Therefore, the combination of a highly reliable contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy (eg, pill or IUD, implant, patch or contraceptive ring) and a condom (male or female) to reduce STIs provides adequate protection during sexual intercourse.

How do we put up a female condom?

Quite similar to its male counterpart, however, the female condom is longer, wider and thicker. It has two flexible rings. At one end of the pocket that must be inserted into the vagina, and the other covering the labia. It must be put in place before intercourse.

To introduce the female condom, squeeze the ring to introduce into the vagina between the thumb and forefinger (as if holding a pencil) when you release the pressure, it will return to its original shape by pressing it against the wall of the vagina . You can then push it deeper, until the cervix, by slipping your fingers.

The female condom is pre-lubricated and for single use only.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the female condom?

The female condom can be inserted in advance so as not to interfere with the relationship. Due to its composition latex, it can also be used if you are allergic to this substance. Furthermore, the man is not forced to withdraw immediately after ejaculation, as is the case with the male condom (even if it is advised because if the sperm flows of the female condom is at risk ).

Its implementation requires some experience. A South African study found that the risk of failure decreases significantly after the first five trials, regardless of the model of female condom use. Better to exercise several times to ask before using it during intercourse.

Note also that it is impossible to recommend to a young virgin who introduce a foreign body in the vagina will be a hard act at a time when it does not yet know his body.

Potential snags?

- It is not impossible that the penis "rate" the entrance of the condom entering the vagina. It may be necessary to guide him in the right direction.
- Be careful also with long nails, which may tear the pocket.
- Finally, it can cause a rustling sound which is annoying sometimes during intercourse.
- We must be careful to remove without spilling semen on mucous membranes.
The female condom is sold in pharmacies without a prescription (usually command). However, its price is higher than its male equivalent: about 14 euros per box of three.

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Pill And Risk Of Venous Thrombosis: What Is It?

Pill And Risk Of Venous Thrombosis: What Is It? - Although this risk is very low, the pills are associated with a risk of venous thrombosis. It seems that the latest generation of pills are at greater risk than the second generation. What is it exactly? The point on the contraceptive pill and venous thrombosis.

Venous thrombosis, phlebitis: a rare risk in pill

At the onset of the first birth control pills at the beginning of the 60s, the risk of venous thrombosis is a known side effect, albeit potentially serious, but rare. This is why the market for oral contraceptives has always been monitored and reassessed regularly.

Namely: venous thrombosis (also called phlebitis) is the formation of a blood clot in a vein, impeding the circulation and can promote the formation of varicose veins. Sometimes that clot moves and is the cause of complications, including pulmonary embolism is the most serious ...

Very recently, a report (1) concluded that the risk of venous thrombosis is twice as high among women who use 3rd generation pill (containing desogestrel, such as cycléane, varnoline or gestodene, such as Melodia, Harmonet, Minulet) or 4th generation (containing drospirenone, such as Jasmine, Yasminelle, Yaz), compared to women on the pill 2nd generation (levonorgestrel, such as Minidril, Adepal ...).

Here are the figures obtained in a reassessment:

The VTE is approximately 20 cases per 100,000 women with a pill 2nd generation

40 cases per 100,000 women with a pill 3rd or 4th generation

May to October case for women who do not take a pill,

and 60 cases in pregnant women.

The risk / benefit ratio of the pill remains positive

Nevertheless, women can be reassured that, "the risk / benefit ratio of the pill remains positive, regardless of the progestin used" assures us the French Food Safety Agency (AFSSAPS). And if in doubt, do not hesitate to talk with your doctor. It reassess your own benefits and risks of your pill according to your profile.

A wide range of custom prescription pills

But it is a reminder that the prescription of a pill is never done lightly. There are recommendations for prescription and use should be respected. At any prescription contraception, the physician takes into account the potential risk factors and cons-indications to choose the best contraceptive for every woman.

In addition, the range of contraceptives available today, especially in terms of associations progestogen, to find the one that best suits the specific hormonal profile of each woman, but also better tolerated, and to adapt the treatment to better adhesion and facilitate the effectiveness of contraception, preventing oversights pill.

Forgot pill: another risk

Indeed, this is an opportunity to recall that the main risk factor for unintended pregnancy is linked to the forgotten pill. And that besides a rare risk of venous thrombosis, there are still 220,000 abortions in our country per year, a figure unchanged since 30 years, including 50 000 in women who take the pill! Surprisingly, nearly half of women on the pill say forget sometimes, often or regularly ...

To help women never forget their pill, different methods are recommended. The latest is an iPhone application, free, called Pil 'hour, which in addition to make you think and take it day at the right time, discloses specific advice in case you forget the name of the according pill filled (by scanning the bar code).

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