And 

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In the November 1999 issue of Men's Fitness Magazine, The Female Condom was a featured question in the column INDOOR PLUMBING written by Ken Goldberg, M.D.

Dr. Goldberg's column handles questions regarding male health, specifically related to his field of specialty, urology.  Dr. Goldberg is also the founder and former medical director of the Male Health Institute, located in Irving, Texas.

The complete text of the question follows: 

       Q: Whatever happened to female condoms?  Are they available?

         A: Reality, the female condom, is still very much around, even though it hasn't achieved wide acceptance in the United States.  Now marketed by the Female Health Company, it was recently approved in Canada, and many have been distributed by the United Nations Programme on AIDS-1.6 million in South Africa and 1.2 million in Uganda, to name just two countries receiving them.  Reality condoms have also been distributed to prostitutes in Thailand, who developed 34 percent fewer cases of sexually transmitted diseases than when only male condoms were available.  They are also becoming more popular in Latin America. 

                   The performance of female condoms is similar to that of the male version. They can be as much as 95 percent effective (for each year of use) in preventing pregnancy when used fastidiously, though real-world performance is closer to 80 percent.  They are considered at least as effective as male condoms in preventing STDs, and they have the advantage of covering some of the outer genitalia of the woman.  Also, female condoms are made of polyurethane rather than latex, so they are suitable for people with latex allergies.

                   Why hasn't Reality been a hit in the U.S.?  Initially, they were somewhat more expensive than male condoms, but they can now be purchases for $1.50 each in lots of six.  They are a bit more difficult to utilize than a male condom, although most women report that it just takes some practice.  (You could learn to help!)  Most men whose partners use them like sharing responsibility, and many report improved sensation with the female condom compared to the more restrictive male condom.

We applaud Dr. Goldberg for his in depth research into our product and the fair coverage that he gave it.  If you would like more information in regard to the topics that Dr. Goldberg mentioned, please contact us at Info@femalehealth.com