Quick answer: hormone-free contraception, woman in control
The internal condom — also called Femidom — is a soft, transparent sleeve made from latex-free material (usually nitrile rubber or polyurethane) that is inserted into the vagina before intercourse. It reliably protects against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A major advantage: it can be inserted up to eight hours before sex and does not require an erection. Used correctly its Pearl Index is around 5 — a safe, hormone-free option that lets the woman stay in control of her own contraception.
What is an internal condom (Femidom)?
The Femidom is a roughly 17 cm long thin sleeve with two flexible rings. The closed inner ring sits deep in the vagina in front of the cervix and anchors the condom. The open outer ring stays outside and covers the external labia. That outer ring is a key advantage: it offers additional protection against skin-contact infections such as herpes or HPV. Internal condoms are almost exclusively made from strong synthetic materials — most commonly nitrile rubber or polyurethane. That makes them a safe choice for people with a latex allergy and — unlike classic latex condoms — compatible with oil-based lubricants.
How to use a Femidom correctly
It takes a little practice, but after a few attempts it's straightforward: 1. Prepare: wash your hands, relax, and get comfortable — lying, squatting or standing with one leg raised on a chair all work. 2. Insert: pinch the inner closed ring of the Femidom between thumb and index finger into a figure 8, then insert it like a tampon deep into the vagina. 3. Position: push the inner ring back as far as it goes until it sits behind the pubic bone and covers the cervix. The outer ring stays flat on the external labia. 4. During sex: make sure your partner enters the penis through the outer ring — not between the condom wall and the vaginal wall. 5. Remove: after sex twist the outer ring once or twice to keep semen inside, gently pull the condom out and throw it in the bin. Never flush it down the toilet.
Pearl Index and safety: how reliable is the Femidom?
Ideal-use Pearl Index is around 5 — meaning 5 of 100 women using only the Femidom for a year statistically experience an unintended pregnancy. Typical use (with insertion errors) sits at about 21. For comparison: the external (‘male') condom has an ideal Pearl Index of 2 and a typical of 18. The hormonal pill is at 0.1 to 0.9 ideal, but offers no STI protection. The slightly lower safety vs. the external condom largely stems from the unfamiliar insertion. After a few attempts most users approach the theoretical ideal. STI protection is in fact a bit more comprehensive than with the external condom, because the outer ring also covers the labia and the base of the penis.
Internal vs. external condom: pros and cons
Both methods protect against pregnancy and STIs, but with different strengths: Material: internal condoms are mostly latex-free (nitrile or polyurethane); external condoms are usually natural rubber latex with some latex-free variants. Timing: the Femidom can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex without requiring an erection. The external condom is rolled on once fully erect. STI protection: the Femidom also covers the labia — better against skin-contact STIs like HPV or herpes. The external condom only covers the penis shaft. Control: with the Femidom the woman is in charge of contraception. With the external condom the partner is responsible for correct use. Lubricant compatibility: internal condoms tolerate any lube, including oil-based ones. Latex external condoms only water- or silicone-based. Cost and availability: Femidoms cost roughly 2 to 4 euros each and are mostly available at pharmacies or online in Germany. External condoms start at 0.30 euros and are sold widely in supermarkets.
Where to buy and what to look for
Internal condoms are less common than external ones in many countries — supermarket shelves rarely stock them. Where to find them: • pharmacies (often by request), • online pharmacies, • sexual-health retailers, • counselling centres such as pro familia, which often hand them out free for trial. Three buying criteria: 1. CE mark: as with any condom, look for the CE label plus a four-digit notified-body number — proof of approval as a medical device under DIN EN ISO 25841. 2. Material: if you or your partner are sensitive to latex, the Femidom is already a good choice — nitrile and polyurethane are latex-free. 3. Shelf life: check the expiry date, especially if a Femidom has been in your drawer for a while. Storage is the same as for external condoms: cool, dry and dark.
Bottom line: an underrated option more women should know
The Femidom is an underrated contraception method. It combines hormone-free safety with reliable STI protection and gives women full control. It's especially attractive for people with latex allergies, couples whose partners often struggle with external condoms, or situations where contraception needs to be set up in advance. Slightly more demanding handling levels out after a few uses — and the additional protection of the labia is a real plus. If you're unsure, ask at pro familia or a gynaecology practice for guidance and try the Femidom in a relaxed setting first.
