The vaginal pouch is a barrier method of contraception used by women to prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
The vaginal pouch is inserted into the woman’s vagina, forming a barrier between the man’s penis and the woman’s uterus. Rings at either end of the vaginal pouch help hold it in place. Despite its name, the vaginal pouch can also be inserted into a woman’s anus for safer anal sex.
The female condom is another name for the vaginal pouch.
More About Vaginal Pouch
Many women are attracted to the vaginal pouch because unlike most forms of contraception made for females, it protects against sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies. It is also available without a prescription, which makes it a convenient choice. You can purchase them from most drugstores and some supermarkets. Vaginal pouches are also safe and easy to use for almost every woman, including those allergic to latex. They do not cause physical side effects or interfere with a woman’s hormone levels as many ingested contraceptives can. The external ring can also stimulate the woman’s clitoris during sex, which improves intercourse.
However, some people say the vaginal pouch reduces the sensations of sexual intercourse. It can also make off-putting noises during sex. Its success is also lower than many other contraceptives.
With perfect use, the vaginal pouch prevents pregnancy 95 percent of the time. However, sometimes the pouch slips or twists during intercourse, reducing its actual effectiveness to between 74 and 79%. Using the vaginal pouch in conjunction with spermicide, which kills sperm, makes it a more effective birth control method.
The vaginal pouch is safe to use with oil- and water-based lubricants.
