Dear BabyKyiah,

The female condom is a pouch that is made out of polyurethane and has a flexible ring at each end. A woman uses her fingers to insert it deep into her vagina, or she can have her partner insert it for her. The ring at the closed end holds the female condom in the vagina and provides a barrier against ejaculate and pre-ejaculate. The ring at the open end stays outside the vaginal opening — that's where the penis is inserted.

You can see how the female condom is inserted by going to Your Birth Control Choices — click on "Barrier" and then "Female Condom." You can find a picture of the female condom on the FC Female Condom Web site.

Used correctly and consistently, female condoms are up to 95 percent effective against pregnancy, and they also reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.