The Failure Rate of Female Condoms

For the woman who wants to take contraception into her own hands without resorting to artificial hormones, a female condom may be the right choice. Before making this choice, every woman should understand the failure rates for the female condom and the causes.

What is It?

• Made of polyurethane, the female condom appears similar to a male condom except for the flexible ring placed at the closed end of the barrier. To use the female condom, women squeeze the flexible ring and insert the condom as they would a tampon. Once in place, the flexible ring widens and holds the closed end of the condom against the cervix.

Failure Rate

• With perfect use of the female condom, five in 100 women, or 5 percent, will become pregnant within a year. Among users who do not observe the proper techniques during insertion and removal, the failure rate stands at 21 in 100 women, or 21 percent.

Reasons for Failure

• Failing to place the condom in the right position may lead to slippage during intercourse. During removal, failing to tightly close the open end may allow semen leakage. Vigorous intercourse may cause the condom to bunch up or break.