Female condom
The female condom, which was introduced in the 1990s, has the advantages that it is controlled by the woman and can be inserted several hours before intercourse. It is gradually gaining in popularity, and new products are appearing on the market. However, there is, as yet, no internationally accepted standard for effectiveness and safety. the Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) is currently working with the International Organization for Standardization to develop such a standard, but the process is long and complex. In the meantime, the new products have to be evaluated individually.
Following a request from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for technical guidance on such new products, RHR has established a Female Condom Technical Review Committee. This Committee reviews dossiers provided by the manufacturers of latex and synthetic female condoms that are under development or expected to come onto the market soon. At its first meeting, in January 2006, the Committee established criteria for reviewing the dossiers and agreed on definitions of clinical failure modes. The review process for a number of products is under way, and one new synthetic female condom has already been recommended as acceptable for bulk procurement by United Nations agencies.
Reuse of female condom
WHO information update: considerations regarding reuse of the female condom, July 2002
The safety and feasibility of female condom reuse: report of a WHO consultation, January 2002