Questions have been raised about the European commercial launch by the US company Intellx of a latex 'female condom' made by Reddy's Medtech Health Products, Ltd, of India. While studies are under way on the new condom, marketed as V-Amour, there are reports of breakages, slippages and other indications that it may not be as reliable as other kinds of condom and may need further design changes before it is fit for general sale or distribution.
Carol Joanis, a researcher working for Family Health International (FHI), who has studied the acceptability and functionality of the new condom, considers the current status of V-Amour to be 'investigational'. She considers that it is not ready for sale on the market. She states that the product has some great qualities and market potential; however, it has demonstrated unacceptable failure rates in the latest studies and requires further modification or improvement. For example, concerns still exist about its high rate of clinical failure, including breakage, holes, slippage, and inversion that could lead to pregnancy or transmission of STIs.
The new product is a latex design which incorporates a polyurethane sponge. It is being marketed at a fraction of the price of the established Reality female condom, which is made entirely from polyurethane.
The promotion of the established female condom, which is made from polyurethane, continues internationally. A new website has recently been launched by the Female Health Company here which gives links to a wide range of information and resources about its use.