Medical Question of the Day: What has been the biggest user complaint about female condoms (the only
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woman-initiated barrier method for prevention of HIV/AIDS)?
Answer: The original female condom is described as being “noisy during use.” And, frankly, who wants to be the Queen of Queef?*
Which actually makes the squeaky sounds of the original female condom The Queef of Death. Use and acceptance of the female condom has lagged far behind that of the cheaper and easier-to-use male condom. Female condom developers could have learned a lesson from our programming sisters – if your anti-viral tools aren’t affordable and user-friendly enough, they just don’t get widespread implementation.
But now, let the celebrations begin! This week the FDA approved a newer version of the female condom, called FC2 (Doc Gurley Tip: hmmm, why not be sex-positive AND get some much-needed publicity by calling it, instead, FCK2?). This second-generation female condom is cheaper (yeah! this is a huge deal for developing countries). And, being made of synthetic rubber instead of polyurethane, the FC2 has significantly fewer complaints about noises. Now, worldwide, women can whip out a female condom and, by doing so, speak up for their silent vaginas! Don’t be coy – be loud and be strong!
*[def. queef: slang referring to an audible vaginal noise, usually during sex – but also during exercise, classically gymnastics. The noise is typically generated by the expulsion of trapped air].