Cheaper, More Quiet, and Just: The Female Condom 2.0
Female Health Co has finally achieved a long sought after goal: a female condom that is affordable, user-friendly, and will allow for the double X chromosome crowd to take greater control over their sexual health.
According to MSNBC, the condom is anticipated to cost as little as 60 cents when purchased in bulk by governments or other agencies, but the actual shelf cost to female consumers is still unknown. Even so, it is certain to be a vast improvement over the Model T version of this product which cost in the range of $2-4.
Not only is it manufactured more cheaply, it's made out of a new material that solves the other problem with the FC--the noise factor. Now the quieter 2.0 version will make the method less intrusive in the bedroom.
What does all this mean for women? A quieter, cheaper condom able to be purchased by and used by women means control over their sexual health and protection from STDs and unplanned pregnancy that was heretofore impossible. This product is now within reach of women in developing countries as well--assuming the price is right. If women no longer have to rely upon men for a cheap, effective method of birth control and STD prevention, the hope is that this will translate into fewer unplanned pregnancies and infections.
Only time (and research) will tell if that is actually correct, but with the approval of this product at least women's reproductive freedom and health is moving along the right track.
Summer Johnson, PhD
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