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- An internal condom, also known as a vaginal condom, is a thin, soft pouch, commonly made from plastic, that’s worn inside the vagina or anus. It prevents pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs).
- Internal condoms help protect against STIs/STDs, including HIV.
- If used perfectly, internal condoms are 95% effective. But people aren’t perfect. So, in reality, internal condoms are 79% effective.*
Internal condom
- 79% effective
- Put it in before sex
- No prescription required
- Protects against STIs/STDs
- No hormones
- Inexpensive
- An internal condom covers the inside of your vagina. It creates a barrier so sperm can’t reach an egg. This type of condom can also be used inside the anus and rectum for anal intercourse.
- An internal condom also protects against STIs/STDs, including HIV. It limits your contact with bodily fluids. It also limits skin-to-skin contact, which is how many infections spread.
- You can get internal condoms in some stores, at health centers, and online.
- You don’t need a prescription for internal condoms.
- There are no age restrictions to buy internal condoms.
- Because of the Affordable Care Act, Kaiser Permanente members can get certain types of birth control methods at low or no cost. Check with Member Services or your provider for details.
- Squeeze the sides of the inner ring and insert it into the vagina. If you’re putting it into the anus, remove the inner ring.
- Push the ring up to the cervix (as far as it’ll go).
- Gently remove your fingers.
- About an inch of the internal condom should be hanging outside the vagina.
- After sex, twist the end closed so sperm doesn’t spill out.
- Pull the condom out gently and throw it in the garbage. Don’t flush it down the toilet.
- Wear the internal condom the entire time you have sex — from start to finish. This will protect against STIs/STDs.
- Don’t use an internal condom and a traditional condom at the same time — they both could rip.
- Do not use the same condom more than once.
- Internal condoms help prevent the spread of STIs/STDs, including HIV.
- Internal condoms are affordable.
- Internal condoms are hormone-free.
- You don’t need a prescription.
- Most internal condoms can be used by people with a latex allergy.
- Internal condoms are temporary. You can stop using them whenever you want to try getting pregnant.
- Internal condoms can be used while you’re breastfeeding.
- Internal condoms are less effective than many other forms of birth control.
- Internal condoms are one-use only.
- Internal condoms are not as common or as easy to find as traditional condoms. They are usually available in health centers or online.
- You need to use it correctly every time.
- You need to put on an internal condom before there’s any skin-to-skin genital contact. They don’t work as well if you put them on during sex.
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*“Internal condom,” Planned Parenthood, plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/internal-condom/how-effective-are-internal-condoms, accessed August 13, 2019.