January 1999 Press Releases

CHICAGO, January 27, 1999 - The Female Health Company (AMEX: FHC) today announced that it received an order from the republic of South Africa for 1.5 million Female Condoms. South Africa initially market tested the product with an order for 90,000 Female Condoms in 1997. Since than, the nation has placed two subsequent re-orders, including this new order, for a total of 3 million units. The order is part of Female Health's multi-year contract with the United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS). Shipments will begun during the Company's fiscal second quarter.

UNAIDS supported studies show when The Female Condom is available as an option there is a significant reduction in the incidence of sexually transmitted disease (STD) vs. when only the male condom is available and that in developing countries use of The Female Condom is highly cost effective.

In conjunction with World AIDS Day, December 1, 1998, UNAIDS released updated figures indicating that 33.4 million people are now infected with HIV/AIDS. During the prior year 5.8 million people became infected which is equivalent to 11 men, women and children every minute. The UNAIDS figures indicate that in nine sub-Saharan countries where 10 percent of the population is infected with HIV/AIDS average life expectancy will decrease from 60 years to 43 years.

The Female Condom is the only product controlled by women that helps to prevent STDs, including HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy. The Female Condom is made of polyurethane, which is strong and unlikely to rip or tear during use, and is manufactured in a state of the art facility in London, England.

The Company believes that continued re-orders and planned launches in new countries will help the Company achieve its goal to sell 13 million units in FY 1999 and to achieve profitability.

The Female Health Company, based in Chicago, owns certain worldwide rights to The Female Condom including patents which have been issued in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, The People’s Republic of China, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and Australia. The Female Condom is the only available product controlled by a woman that protects against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS and unintended pregnancy.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements in this release which are not historical fact are forward-looking statements based upon the Company’s current plans and strategies, and reflect the Company’s current assessment of the risks and uncertainties related to its business, including such things as product demand and market acceptance; the economic and business environment and the impact of governmental regulations, both in the United States and abroad; the effects of competitive products and pricing pressures; currency risks; capacity; efficiency and supply constraints; and other risks detailed in the Company’s press releases, shareholder communications and Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Actual events affecting the Company and the impact of such events on the Company’s operations may vary from those currently anticipated.

 For more information about The Female Health Company toll-free via fax,

Also, visit the Company’s web site, www.femalehealth.com.

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