Through an opinion issued on April 16, 2021, the High Council for Equality between Women and Men (HCE) pleads for a reimbursement of the female condom. More expensive and considered less practical for some, the reimbursement could make it possible to democratize its use.
In France, the success of the female or “internal” condom is not resounding like the male condom. According to the High Council for Equality between Women and Men (HCE), which questioned prevention associations of doctors, gynecologists, specialists and even midwives, the female condom presents “ many advantages “. In a opinion delivered on April 16, 2021, this advisory body wishes to popularize its use by raising the possibility of reimbursing it.
An unknown and very effective way …
Its efficiency is over 95%. Much more resistant than the male model, it presents much less risk of tearing than the latter. Its hypoallergenic texture is composed of polyurethane or nitrile. For comparison, the male condom is usually made of latex, this material can cause allergic manifestations. Another significant advantage is that the internal condom can be inserted eight hours before sexual intercourse. In its opinion, the advisory body recalls the advantages of the female condom, namely: high efficiency against unwanted pregnancies, a high level of protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The High Council for Equality between Women and Men also pleads “A lever for women’s liberation and empowerment, both in terms of prevention of sexually transmitted infections and of contraception”.
… but a complicated and relatively expensive installation
However, the female condom has many drawbacks to its use. To begin with, its placement is not easy, it is recommended to practice regularly to place it. In addition, the woman must have a good knowledge of her anatomy to understand how it works. Young women are therefore not in the best position to make good use of it. Its price can also cool more than one. It takes 8 to 12 euros for a box of three condoms only.
Over 345,000 male condoms prescribed
Between December 2018 and October 2020, approximately 345,000 insured were prescribed by their doctor or specialists certain male condoms. According to Social Security data, the number of reimbursed boxes jumped by 28% between 2019 and 2020. Conversely, only 3,324 boxes of female condoms were sold in pharmacies in 2020, from after figures from the Directorate General of Health. Even if the figures are final, they do not take into account sales in supermarkets.
Faced with this entrenched ignorance, the HCE wants to work to further promote this method of contraception through a national campaign that may begin on September 16, 2021, on the occasion of the International Day of the Female Condom, underlines the AFP. The advisory body also adds that “The male condom is reimbursed, the female condom must be too. It is a question of equality. “
