The female condom is the only female-initiated HIV prevention method currently available. An effective contraceptive, it also reduces the risk of transmitting and acquiring sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Female condoms have been introduced in many countries, but they tend to be more expensive than male condoms, and have been poorly marketed. But this can change: when efforts are made to actively promote their use, such as in Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, the female condom is widely used.

In September 2005, a second-generation female condom was launched. The aim is to make the new condom available to developing countries at significantly lower cost when purchased in bulk.

Progress is being made towards developing a microbicide – a gel or cream that can be applied to the vagina to prevent HIV transmission. Research suggests that a microbicide that is 60 per cent effective could prevent 2.5 million HIV infections over three years.

Five “first generation” candidate microbicides are being tested in large-scale efficacy trials. If current funding gaps are closed, a partly-effective microbicide could be available for use in 5-7 years.

At the same time, research is under way to develop a “second generation” microbicide with higher efficacy rates.