The FC female condom is a polyurethane sheath or pouch about 17 cm (6.5 inches) in length. It is worn by a woman during sex. It entirely lines the vagina and it helps to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV. At each end of the condom there is a flexible ring. At the closed end of the sheath, the flexible ring is inserted into the vagina to hold the female condom in place. At the other open end of the sheath, the ring stays outside the vulva at the entrance to the vagina. This ring acts as a guide during penetration and it also stops the sheath bunching up inside the vagina. There is silicone-based lubricant on the inside of the condom, but additional lubrication can be used. The condom does not contain spermicide. The female should not be used at the same time as a latex male condom because the friction between the two condoms may cause the condoms to break. The FC female condom has been available in Europe since 1992 and it was approved in 1993 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is available in many countries, at least in limited quantities, throughout the world. The female condom carries various brand names in different countries including Reality, Femidom, Dominique, Femy, Myfemy, Protectiv' and Care.