EXHIBIT 5

                                  LEGAL OPINION

                                October 19, 1999

The Female Health Company
875 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 3660
Chicago, IL 60611

Gentlemen:                             Re:   Registration Statement on Form SB-2

         We have acted as counsel for The Female Health Company, a Wisconsin
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Company's registration of
4,929,175 shares (the "Shares") of its $.01 par value common stock at the
request of the selling stockholders listed in the Registration Statement
(defined below). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined have the meanings
assigned to them in the Registration Statement.

         In such capacity we have examined, among other documents, the Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company and the Registration
Statement on Form SB-2 initially filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on or about October 18, 1999 covering the sale by the
selling stockholders of the Shares (the "Registration Statement"). Based on the
foregoing and such additional investigation as we have deemed necessary, it is
our opinion that:

         1. The Company is a corporation existing under the laws of the State of
Wisconsin and, based solely on a certificate of the Secretary of the Department
of Financial Institutions of the State of Wisconsin; (a) has filed with the
Department of Financial Institutions during its most recently completed report
year the required annual report; (b) is not the subject of a proceeding under
Wisconsin Statutes Section 180.1421 to cause its administrative dissolution; (c)
no determination has been made by the Department of Financial Institutions that
grounds exist for such action; (d) no filing has been made with the Department
of Financial Institutions of a decree of dissolution with respect to the
Company; and (e) Articles of Dissolution of the Company have not been filed with
the Department of Financial Institutions.

         2. The Shares are (or, after issuance upon exercise of the warrants and
conversion of the convertible debentures as set forth in the Registration
Statement, will be) legally issued, fully-paid and nonassessable, except as set
forth in Wisconsin Statutes section 180.0622(2)(b), as interpreted.

         We consent to the filing of a copy of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form SB-2.

                                    REINHART, BOERNER, VAN DEUREN,
                                       NORRIS & RIESELBACH, S.C.

                                    BY /s/ James M. Bedore
                                     ---------------------------------------
                                       James M. Bedore