The June issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases includes discussion of the female condom, introduced in Europe 15 years ago, but still a neglected tool for protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV. Sally Hargreaves discusses the potential role of the female condom, including its use in areas with high HIV prevalence, with Susie Hoffman and Theresa Exner, from Columbia University, New York City, USA, in this month's podcast.