The Female Condom is Better than the Male Condom
They are more costly, around $4, than the male condom, but the female condom is more effective.
The first version of the female condom, the FC1, was noisy. Yes, that is right. As a couple thrusted to and fro, there was an obnoxious, crinkling type sound. This was because of the less flexible material used, which distracted love makers making love. It was not very popular. By 2009, FC2, arrived, made of material similar to men's condoms and hence, silent, when thrusting occurs. The FC2 female condom is a nitrile sheath or pouch 6.7 in. in length and 3 in. wide. To maximize sensation, it is only .0020 inches (50 microns) thick - similar to some of the ultra thin male condoms.
At each end there is a flexible ring. At the closed end of the sheath, the flexible ring is inserted into the vagina to hold the female condom in place. The other end of the sheath stays outside the vulva at the entrance to the vagina. When used correctly, the female condom has a 5% failure rate. One drawback is sometimes, the outer ring may be pushed inside the vagina during sex; if this happens, stop and remove the device or the penis is not actually in the condom but between the vagina wall and the condom.
While the men have a condom as well, they can come off during sex and can leak semen. The issue of sensation for both the man and woman is often a common complaint and embarrassing for the man should he lose the erection in the heat of the moment. With the woman's condom, the external ring may stimulate the clitoris and penis during vaginal intercourse and will stay in place whether or not a man maintains his erection. However, the reason why the FC2 is better for all partners is because the woman can insert it hours before sex occurs. There is nothing more distracting in the heat of the moment than fumbling around with a condom that does not make it easy! Call it Murphy's Law, but it does happen, and while it is funny, it can ruin a good moment. Many men like not feeling the pressure to keep an erection and couples may also enjoy the increased intimacy of "staying connected" as the man doesn't need to withdraw as soon as he ejaculates.
This is not the case with the man's condom. Women can protect themselves when their partner does not want to use a male condom. The FC2 is more protective to both man and woman. It can also be used for anal sex or having sex in water locations since it is inside the woman's body.