Q: CAN you tell me more about the new female condom and its rate of success in preventing pregnancy and protection against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases? Dr Rose writes: The female condom consists of an 18-centimetre long plastic bag with rings at each end. A flexible ring holds the closed, inner end of the bag in place so that it surrounds the cervix. The outer open end is held in place by a larger ring. The condom is inserted behind the pubic bone by hand.
Clinical trials from the United States indicate that one size fits 97 per cent of all women. However, some researchers have found that the female condom may not fit Asian women as well.