On Wednesday, Female Health Co. said the Food and Drug Administration has approved its new FC2 Female Condom. The approval "is an important development in efforts to deliver affordable access to woman-initiated HIV prevention in the United States and around the world," said Mary Ann Leeper, a strategic adviser to the company.

Female Health's first female condom debuted in 1993. Though approved to prevent STDs and pregnancy, it has not gained wide acceptance among US consumers, in part due to its cost - around $2.80 to $4 per condom, compared to male condoms' cost of as little as 50 cents each.

The FC2 condom is made using a less expensive process that should lower its price, Female Health said, though it is not yet clear how much the FC2 will cost or when it will be available. Female Health has previously said it would like to partner with another company to help market the condom.

The new condom is also made from a softer material for quieter use - another complaint about the original.

FDA approval means the US Agency for International Development can purchase the FC2 for HIV prevention programs in Africa and other areas. Dozens of health advocacy groups had urged FDA to approve the new version, which is already in use in 77 nations; the lower cost should help health organizations distribute more of the condoms.