In spite of its added advantage of preventing segxwally-transmitted diseases, the female condom is yet to be embraced by most Nigerian women. Olunike Asaolu, moTunrayo Aboderin and Tayo Otegbeye in this report, examine factors working against the wide acceptance of female condoms.
Did you know that of all the various forms of contraceptives for family planning, female condom is yet to find its place in the hearts of most Nigerian women? Experts claim less than two per cent of women in Nigeria use condoms.
Investigations by our correspondents showed a very low awareness of female condom among women. Low awareness cuts across both the literate and illiterate women in the society. While some said they had never heard or seen female condom, others said though they were aware of its existence, they could not use it because its level of dependence was low compared with other contraceptives. They also added that the use of female condoms reduced pleasure derivable from segxwal intercourse.
A female condom is a device that is used during segxwal intercourse as a barrier contraceptive and to reduce the risk of segxwally transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, and HIV and unintended pregnancy. Invented by Danish MD Lassa Hessel, it is worn internally by the receptive partner and physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering that person’s body. Female condoms can be used by the receptive partner during anal sex.
The female condom is a thin, soft, loose-fitting sheath with a flexible ring at each end. The inner ring at the closed end of the sheath is used to insert the condom inside the honeypot and to hold it in place during intercourse. The rolled outer ring at the open end of the sheath remains outside the honeypot and covers part of the external genitalia.
A recent version of the female condom is made from natural latex, the same material used in male condoms. This condom does not make the noises some experience with plastic condoms.
While a pack goes for N1,500 in some private hospitals in Nigeria, it sells for N60 per pack in most government hospitals and family planning centres.
Some respondents like Mrs. Kemi Olayemi, a businesswoman, said they shy away from using female condoms because they believe they could not be efficient in preventing pregnancy.
Olayemi said, “Though I know it exists, at the clinic, they tell us the advantages and the disadvantages of these contraceptives and they tell us the male condom can break and leak, so I think the female condom, being a condom too, can break and leak. That’s why I don’t consider it a reliable way of preventing conception. That is why most women don’t use it and prefer other methods.”
But a housewife, Mrs. Kadijat Jamiu, said she had neither seen nor heard about female condom. “I have never seen it before, but if I see one and it is convenient to use, I will go for it. But the decision to use or not depends on my husband.’’
Naturally her husband does not like condoms and has never used any. He prefers the withdrawal and the Billings method of family planning. She said, “So, if my husband does not like them for himself, and allows me, fine!”
A teacher, Mrs. Bisi Smith, said she was aware of the existence of a female condom but the process of wearing it discouraged her. “I have been to several seminars on family planning, where both female and male condoms were displayed but the process of wearing a female condom takes a long time and it is annoying.
“The female condom is large and can be difficult for some women to place into the honeypot. Besides, some women do not like the idea of putting fingers or a foreign object into their honeypot.”
But as for Mrs. Omowunmi Adekoya, a seamstress, the use of condoms is not the best for couples. “It is better for them to go for other forms of family planning than using female condoms, which take all the pleasure out of the act. Skin to skin sex is the best.
“Though I have heard about condoms for both males and females, I think I can’t just go for them. As a woman, I will be punishing myself if I use condoms. Even my husband has never used it with me, and I don’t think he will enjoy it too. I hate them. That is why I have gone for other methods,” she said.
While these women hate condoms, men also agree that women don’t have to use them. A chartered accountant, Mr. Oluseyi Adams, said the use of female condom was not necessary. “I can’t allow my wife to wear a condom since I have sufficient trust that she will not contact any disease. The use of condom will definitely reduce satisfaction derived from sex just as the male condom does.
“Psychologically, it also takes longer time to be excited. Even while in the process, the excitement is reduced,” he said.
But for promiscuous men, he suggests that their mistresses should be encouraged to use it. “If I were a promiscuous man, I won’t mind if my mistress uses it. But because I am not, my wife does not have to use it,” he said.
A businessman, Mr. Olawale Sheriff dislikes the use of condoms by both men and women. “I don’t like condom and I will not encourage its use. It reduces the pleasure, the excitement and all that should take place in segxwal intercourse. The difference between wearing and not-wearing is huge.
“Apart from condoms, there are other forms of contraceptives that I subscribe to,” he said.
Another businessman, Mr. John Okechukwu said, “It depends on what the couples prefer. For health reasons, it is also good for women to use condoms. But as for me, I don’t think I can allow my wife to use condom. I prefer other forms of contraceptives.”
A trunk driver, Mr. Oladele Olayinka, is worried about the resilience of the female condom. “I have not seen it before, but is it possible for both the man and the woman to wear it at the same time, can the female condom withstand the test of time?
“Whether it is good or bad, I will never allow my wife to use it. It is better for the man to wear it during segxwal intercourse, because he is the one controlling the affair, the wife should not be the one to dictate how it goes. Secondly, the use of condom by women reduces the trust between couples. The man may feel his wife is cheating on him.
“But for men, it is ok. I use it, because it is close to nature and I am comfortable with it, but I won’t encourage women to use it,” he said.
A mechanic, Mr. James Okoro, says he hates using condoms, but prefers his wife to use it instead. He said, “It distorts the natural process. I prefer to abstain rather than use condom. But when someone must wear it, then it has to be my wife because I don’t like it.”
But experts claim female condom, apart from being a contraceptive, has the added benefit of preventing segxwally- transmitted infections. They also add that it has a higher success rate in preventing unwanted pregnancy than non-barrier methods such as pills but observe that the condom is not popular because women are conservative. “There is lack of awareness, adequate information and culturally, women are not allowed to use them,’’ they said.
A Chief Pharmacist at Juli Pharmaceutical, Mrs. Eunice Uja, said female condoms were not popular because of women’s nature “Women generally by their nature tend to be very conservative, unlike men who are wild in nature. Women are also very shy discussing condoms unlike men who can talk about it anywhere and anytime. Besides, some religions don’t believe in contraceptives.
“Psychologically, most women don’t believe the female condom can prevent pregnancy. They feel other contraceptives will work better than condoms.”
But, an Intern House Officer, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Lawal Luqman, attributed non-usage to poverty, religion, ignorance and lack of awareness. “There are also cultural factors hindering the usage. In Nigeria , sex is very sacred, so people believe females should not be the ones fighting against sex.
“Problems women can encounter when they use condom can include urinary tract infections, because it is like a foreign body going into the female private part. It also affects spontaneity of sex. Most males and females enjoy skin to skin sex. They say condoms prevent the spontaneity of sex. Also, most females complain about the artificiality of sex any time they use the female condoms.’’
A Senior Medical Officer at the Holy Trinity Hospital , Lagos, Dr. Odiete Festus, said issues affecting the use of female condoms ranged from environmental and gender. “Female condoms are not so popular in Nigeria, because this is an African environment, and getting to educate our women about condoms involves a lot of effort. It is also a gender issue because one gender feels comfortable talking about condoms while the other gender feels shy about it. To make female condoms more popular, we need to sensitise the public.’’
On what can be done to encourage usage, the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer, Ilasamaja Primary Health Care, Ilasamaja, Lagos State , Mrs. Okhide Toyin, said though female condoms were available in hospitals and pharmaceutical stores in Nigeria , women needed to be educated.
She said, “Female condom is in government hospitals and pharmaceutical stores, and it is not expensive, it is N20 per one, and a whole pack goes for N60.
“But women don’t want to use it because according to the stories we hear from them, it is messy. And secondly, it prevents them from having intimacy with their husbands and partners. I can say not up to two per cent of them use condom.”
Highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of female condoms, Dr. Kunle Olaleye of Light Hospital , Lagos , said it depends on which type of the condom one is using.
He said there are three types of condoms — the FC and FC2 and VA which is made of latex.
He explained that “The FC and FC2 female condoms can make noises during intercourse (adding more lubricant can lessen this problem). Some women find the female condom hard to insert and to remove. It is more expensive than male condom, it is about three times of male condom and some are about N1,500.”
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