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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the registrant  x                            Filed by a party other than the registrant  ¨

Check the appropriate box:

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THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY

515 North State Street

Suite 2225

Chicago, Illinois 60654

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD MARCH 26, 2013

To the Shareholders of The Female Health Company:

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of The Female Health Company (the “Company”) will be held at the Palomar Hotel Downtown, 505 North State Street, 5th Floor, Gallery Ballroom I, Chicago, Illinois 60654, on March 26, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:

1. To elect nine members to the Board of Directors, the names of whom are set forth in the accompanying proxy statement, to serve until the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Shareholders.

2. To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the appointment of McGladrey LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as the Company’s auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof.

Chicago, Illinois

February 25, 2013

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Shareholders of record at the close of business on February 13, 2013 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Your vote is important to ensure that a majority of the stock is represented. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person, please vote your shares by phone, via the internet or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card at your earliest convenience. Your vote is being solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company. If you later find that you may be present at the meeting or for any other reason desire to revoke your proxy, you may do so at any time before it is voted. Shareholders holding shares in brokerage accounts (“street name” holders) who wish to vote at the meeting will need to obtain a proxy form and voting instructions from the institution that holds their shares.

Shareholders of record may also vote by the Internet or telephone. Voting by the Internet or telephone is fast, convenient, and your vote is immediately confirmed and tabulated. Most important, by using the Internet or telephone, you help us reduce postage and proxy tabulation costs. The Internet and telephone voting facilities will close at 11:59 p.m. eastern time on March 25, 2013.

Or, if you prefer, you can return the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided.

PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD IF YOU ARE VOTING OVER THE INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE.

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THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY

515 North State Street

Suite 2225

Chicago, Illinois 60654

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on March 26, 2013:

This Proxy Statement and the Accompanying Annual Report

are Available at: www.proxyvote.com

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of The Female Health Company (the “Company”) to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at the Palomar Hotel Downtown, 505 North State Street, 5th Floor, Gallery Ballroom I, Chicago, Illinois 60654, at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, and at any adjournments thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Meeting. The mailing to shareholders of this Proxy Statement and accompanying form of proxy will take place on or about February 25, 2013.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Proxies and Voting Procedures

Shareholders can vote by completing and returning a proxy card in the form accompanying this Proxy Statement or, if shares are held in “street name,” by completing a voting instruction form provided by your broker. Shareholders of record can also vote over the Internet or by telephone. If Internet and telephone voting are available to you, you can find voting instructions in the materials accompanying this Proxy Statement. The Internet and telephone voting facilities will close at 11:59 p.m. (eastern time) on March 25, 2013. Please be aware that if you vote over the Internet or by telephone, you may incur costs such as telephone and Internet access charges for which you will be responsible.

The Board of Directors knows of no business which will be presented at the Annual Meeting other than the matters referred to in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the proxy will vote on such matters in accordance with their judgment. Shares represented by properly executed proxies received on behalf of the Company will be voted at the Annual Meeting (unless revoked prior to their vote) in the manner specified therein. A shareholder will be able to revoke his or her proxy until it is voted. If no instructions are specified in a signed proxy returned to the Company, the shares represented thereby will be voted FOR: (1) the election of the directors listed in the enclosed proxy; and (2) ratification of McGladrey LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.

Shareholders may revoke proxies (including an Internet or telephone vote) at any time to the extent they have not been exercised by giving written notice to the Company or by a later executed proxy via the Internet, by telephone or by mail. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke a proxy, but a shareholder attending the Annual Meeting may request a ballot and vote in person, thereby revoking a prior granted proxy.

Shareholders Entitled to Vote

Only holders of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), whose names appear of record on the books of the Company at the close of business on February 13, 2013, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On that date, there were 28,669,916 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on each matter to be presented at the Annual Meeting.

Quorum; Required Vote

A majority of the votes entitled to be cast with respect to each matter submitted to the shareholders, represented either in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum with respect to such matter. Under Wisconsin law,

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directors are elected by plurality, meaning that the nine individuals receiving the largest number of votes are elected as directors. The ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm requires the number of votes cast in favor of this proposal to exceed the number of votes cast against this proposal, assuming a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker nonvotes (i.e., shares held by brokers in street name, voting on certain matters due to discretionary authority or instruction from the beneficial owners but not voting on other matters due to lack of authority to vote on such matters without instructions from the beneficial owners) will count toward the quorum requirement but will not count toward the determination of whether directors are elected or the ratification of the auditors is approved.

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors has established the number of directors at nine. The Board of Directors has nominated O.B. Parrish, Mary Ann Leeper, Ph.D., William R. Gargiulo, Jr., Donna Felch, David R. Bethune, Stephen M. Dearholt, Michael R. Walton, Richard E. Wenninger and Mary Margaret Frank, Ph.D. for election as directors, all to serve until the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

As indicated below, all persons nominated by the Board of Directors are incumbent directors. We anticipate that the nominees for election as directors will be candidates when the election is held. However, if any of the nominees should be unable or unwilling to serve, the proxies, pursuant to the authority granted to them by the Board of Directors, will have discretionary authority to select and vote for substituted nominees (except where the proxy withholds authority with respect to the election of directors).

Below is information as of the date of this Proxy Statement about each nominee for election to our Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. The information presented includes information each nominee or director has given us about his or her age, his or her principal occupation and business experience for the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which he or she currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years. The information presented also includes, under the heading “Director Qualifications,” a description for each director of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion that he or she should serve as a director. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly evaluates the mix of experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of our directors using a matrix of areas that the Committee considers important for our business. In addition to the information presented below regarding the nominee’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to the conclusion that the nominee should serve as a director, the Nominating Committee also considered the qualifications and criteria described below under “Corporate Governance Matters – Director Nominations” with the objective of creating a complementary mix of directors.

NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS

O.B. PARRISH

Age: 79; Elected Director: 1987; Present Term Ends: 2013 Annual Meeting

O.B. Parrish has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 1994, as acting President since May 2006, as acting Chief Financial and Accounting Officer from February 1996 to March 1999 and as the Chairman of the Board and a Director of the Company since 1987. Mr. Parrish is a shareholder and has served as the President and as a Director of Phoenix Health Care of Illinois, Inc. (“Phoenix of Illinois”) since 1987. Phoenix of Illinois owns approximately 233,501 shares of our Common Stock. Mr. Parrish also is Chairman and a Director of Abiant, Inc., a neuroimaging company focusing on the early detection and assessment of potential drugs for the treatment of Alzheimers Disease, and an advisor to Algasol Renewables, a technology company developing micro algae biomass as a fuel source. Mr. Parrish is also a trustee of Lawrence University. From 1977 until 1986, Mr. Parrish was the President of the Global Pharmaceutical Group of G.D. Searle & Co. (“Searle”), a pharmaceutical/consumer products company. From 1974 until 1977, Mr. Parrish was the President of Searle International, the foreign sales operation of Searle. Prior to that, Mr. Parrish was Executive Vice President of Pfizer’s International Division.

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Director Qualifications

Mr. Parrish’s extensive experience as a health care executive and as an executive of the Company and his skills in the areas of corporate transactions, operations and manufacturing, international business, corporate communications and enterprise risk management, along with his familiarity with the Company’s business and industry and his role as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company and as Chairman of the Board.

MARY ANN LEEPER, Ph.D.

Age: 72; Elected Director: 1987; Present Term Ends: 2013 Annual Meeting

Dr. Leeper has served as Senior Strategic Adviser since May 2006. Dr. Leeper served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from February 1996 to April 2006, as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Female Health Company Division from May 1994 until January 1996, as Senior Vice President — Development of the Company from 1988 until January 1996 and as a Director of the Company since 1987. Dr. Leeper is a shareholder and has served as a Vice President and Director of Phoenix of Illinois since 1987. From 1981 until 1986, Dr. Leeper served as Vice President — Market Development for Searle’s Pharmaceutical Group and in various Searle research and development management positions. As Vice President —Market Development, Dr. Leeper was responsible for worldwide licensing and acquisition, marketing and market research. In earlier positions, she was responsible for preparation of new drug applications and was a liaison with the FDA. Dr. Leeper serves on the Board of Neenah Paper, Inc. and is chair of its nominating and governance committee. She also was an adjunct professor at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business from 2001 to 2012. She has received various awards recognizing her commitment and pioneering efforts in the work of women’s health.

Director Qualifications

Dr. Leeper’s background as the former President of the Company, her knowledge of the Company’s business, her relationships with its customers and her long term commitment to women’s health issues led to the conclusion that she should serve as a director of the Company.

WILLIAM R. GARGIULO, JR.

Age: 84; Elected Director: 1987; Present Terms Ends: 2013 Annual Meeting

William R. Gargiulo, Jr. has served as Secretary of the Company from 1996 to present, as Vice President of the Company from 1996 to September 30, 1998, as Assistant Secretary of the Company from 1989 to 1996, as Vice President — International of The Female Health Company Division from 1994 until 1996, as Chief Operating Officer of the Company from 1989 to 1994, and as General Manager of the Company from 1988 to 1994. Mr. Gargiulo has also served as a Director of the Company since 1987. Mr. Gargiulo is a trustee of a trust which is a shareholder of Phoenix of Illinois. From 1984 until 1986, Mr. Gargiulo was the Executive Vice-President of the Pharmaceutical Group of Searle, in charge of Searle’s European operations. From 1976 until 1984, Mr. Gargiulo was the Vice President of Searle’s Latin American operations.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Gargiulo’s years of experience as an officer of the Company and his extensive international sales and marketing experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.

DONNA FELCH

Age 65; Appointed Director: 2012; Present Term Ends: 2013 Annual Meeting

Ms. Felch served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company from February 2006 to December 2012. She has served as a Director of the Company since November 2012. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Felch was Vice President and Treasurer of American Pharmaceutical Partners, Inc., a pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and markets injectible pharmaceutical products, from November 2002 until June 2005. In these positions, she directed the treasury, tax, financial planning and analysis, credit and collections and risk management functions. Ms. Felch joined American Pharmaceutical Partners in 1998 and during

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such time held the positions of Senior Director of Corporate Accounting and Director of General Accounting and Tax. In these roles her responsibilities included internal and external financial reporting, tax, treasury, financial planning, credit and risk management. Previously, Ms Felch served as Director of Corporate Tax with Fujisawa USA, a subsidiary of a major Japanese pharmaceutical company. Ms. Felch had formerly worked as a Tax Manager for LyphoMed, Inc., a generic pharmaceutical manufacturer.

Director Qualifications

Ms. Felch’s background as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, her knowledge of the Company’s business and her background and experience in public accounting led to the conclusion that she should serve as a director of the Company.

DAVID R. BETHUNE

Age: 72; Elected Director: 1996; Present Term Ends: 2013 Annual Meeting

Mr. Bethune has served as a Director of the Company since January 1996. He was Chairman of Zila, Inc., an oral cancer screening company, from August 2007 to September 2009 and Chief Executive Officer of Zila, Inc. from March 2008 to September 2009. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the CAMBREX Corporation, a life sciences company dedicated to providing products and services that accelerate and improve the discovery and commercialization of human therapeutics, from 2005 to March 2012. Mr. Bethune served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Atrix Laboratories, Inc. from 1999 until his retirement in 2004. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Bethune held the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer of the IVAX Corporation. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Bethune was a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry. From 1995 to 1996, Mr. Bethune was President and Chief Executive Officer of Aesgen, Inc., a generic pharmaceutical company. From 1992 to 1995, Mr. Bethune was Group Vice President of American Cyanamid Company and a member of its Executive Committee until the sale of the company to American Home Products. He had global executive authority for human biologicals, consumer health products, pharmaceuticals and opthalmics, as well as medical research. In 1989 he became president of Lederle Laboratories, a division of American Cyanamid and held that position until 1992. Mr. Bethune is a founding trustee of the American Cancer Society Foundation. He is the founding chairman of the Corporate Council of the Children’s Health Fund in New York City and served on the Arthritis Foundation Corporate Advisory Council.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Bethune’s impressive track record of achievements in leadership positions, including with public companies in the pharmaceutical and medical products industries, led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company and a member of the audit committee.

STEPHEN M. DEARHOLT

Age: 66; Elected Director: 1996; Present Term Ends: 2013 Annual Meeting

Mr. Dearholt has served as a Director of the Company since April 1996. Mr. Dearholt is a co-founder of, and partner in, Insurance Processing Center, Inc., one of the largest privately owned life insurance marketing organizations in the United States, since 1972. He has over 40 years of experience in direct response advertising and data based marketing of niche products. In late 1995, Mr. Dearholt arranged, on very short notice, a $1 million bridge loan which assisted the Company in its purchase of Chartex. He is a past board member of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Wisconsin, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, Planned Parenthood Association of Wisconsin, and past Chairman of the Board of the New Day Club, Inc.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Dearholt’s achievements as a successful business owner and his long term commitment to the Company led to the conclusion that he should serve on the Company’s Board of Directors.

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MICHAEL R. WALTON

Age: 75; Elected Director: 1999; Present Term Ends: 2013 Annual Meeting

Mr. Walton has served as a Director of the Company since April 1999. Mr. Walton is President and owner of Sheboygan County Broadcasting Co., Inc., a company he founded in 1972. The company has focused on start-up situations, and growing value in under-performing, and undervalued radio stations and newspapers. Sheboygan County Broadcasting Co. has owned and operated businesses in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and New York. It has specialized in creating, building and managing news media properties and has acquired existing companies as well. Prior to 1972, Mr. Walton was owner and President of Walton Co., an advertising representative firm he founded in New York City. He has held sales and management positions with Forbes Magazine, The Chicago Sun Times and Gorman Publishing Co. Mr. Walton has served on the Boards of the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce and the Rogers Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Economic Club of Sheboygan.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Walton’s background in sales and marketing, his extensive experience as a successful business owner and his long term commitment to the Company led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.

RICHARD E. WENNINGER

Age: 65; Elected Director: 2001; Present Term Ends: 2013 Annual Meeting

Mr. Wenninger has served as a Director of the Company since July 2001. Mr. Wenninger is former Chairman of Wenninger Company, Inc., a mechanical contracting and engineering company. From 1976 to 2001, Mr. Wenninger served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wenninger Company, Inc. He is also Secretary of Wenn Soft, Inc., a software development, sales and service company he founded in 1997. From 1992 to 1999, Mr. Wenninger served as Secretary of Liftco, Inc. Mr. Wenninger is a former board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Milwaukee, a former President and board member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club, a former board member of the Wisconsin Psychoanalytic Foundation, a former board member of University Lake School, the former President and a former board member of the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association of Milwaukee, the former President and a former board member of the Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Milwaukee and a former board member of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America.

Director Qualifications

Mr. Wenninger’s years of experience as a successful entrepreneur and his long term commitment to the Company led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of the Company.

MARY MARGARET FRANK, Ph.D.

Age: 44; Elected Director: 2004; Present Term Ends: 2013 Annual Meeting

Dr. Frank has served as a Director of the Company since October 2004. Dr. Frank has served as an Associate Professor of Accounting at the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia where she teaches financial and tax accounting since 2002. She also serves as an Academic Director for Darden’s Initiative for Business in Society. From 1999 to 2002, Dr. Frank was an Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. During 1997, Dr. Frank was an accounting instructor at the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. From 1992 to 1994, Dr. Frank served as a Senior Tax Consultant at Arthur Andersen. She has her master’s degree and Ph.D. in accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was issued her CPA in 1994.

Director Qualifications

Dr. Frank’s background and experience in both public accounting and financial education and her qualification as an “audit committee financial expert” under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) led to the conclusion that she should serve as a director of the Company.

The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR all nominees.

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DIRECTORS MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES

Directors and Director Attendance

The Board of Directors currently consists of nine members: O.B. Parrish, Mary Ann Leeper, Ph.D., William R. Gargiulo, Jr., Donna Felch, Stephen M. Dearholt, David R. Bethune, Michael R. Walton, Richard E. Wenninger and Mary Margaret Frank, Ph.D. At each annual meeting of shareholders, directors are elected for a term of one year to succeed those directors whose terms are expiring.

Our Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board of Directors held five meetings during the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. All of the incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he or she served, if any.

The chart below identifies the members of each of these committees as of the date of this Proxy Statement, along with the number of meetings held by each committee during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012:

X = committee member; * = committee chairperson

Audit Committee

The responsibilities of the Audit Committee, in addition to such other duties as may be specified by our Board of Directors, include the following: (1) responsibility for selecting, evaluating and, where appropriate, replacing the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company; (2) review of the timing, scope and results of the independent registered public accounting firm’s audit examination; (3) review of periodic comments and recommendations by the independent registered public accounting firm and of our response thereto; (4) review of our financial statements; and (5) review of the scope and adequacy of our internal accounting controls. The Board’s Audit Committee is an audit committee for purposes of section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee’s report required by the rules of the SEC appears on page 9.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee (1) reviews and approves the goals and objectives relating to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, and determines the compensation of those executive officers, including salary rates, participation in incentive compensation and benefit plans, fringe benefits, non-cash perquisites and other forms of compensation; (2) reviews and makes recommendations to our Board of Directors with respect to incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans; (3) administers our stock incentive, equity-based and other employee benefit plans in accordance with the responsibilities assigned to the Committee under any and all such plans; and (4) reviews and makes recommendations to our Board of Directors with respect to the compensation of our outside directors.

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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in addition to such other duties as may be specified by our Board of Directors, identifies and recommends to our Board of Directors nominees for election to the Board of Directors, reviews and makes recommendations to our Board of Directors regarding the size and composition of the Board of Directors and the committees of our Board of Directors and reviews and recommends to our Board of Directors corporate governance policies and practices for the Company.

Charters of Committees

The Board of Directors has adopted, and may amend from time to time, a written charter for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. We make available on our website at www.femalehealth.com, free of charge, copies of each of these charters. We are not including the information contained on or available through our website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Proxy Statement.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

We are committed to establishing and maintaining high standards of corporate governance, which are intended to serve the long-term interests of the Company and our shareholders. Our Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which can be found on our website at www.femalehealth.com.

Director Independence

Our Board of Directors has reviewed the independence of the nominees for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting under the applicable standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Based on this review, our Board of Directors determined that each of the following directors is independent under the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market:

Based upon such standards, O.B. Parrish, Donna Felch, Mary Ann Leeper, Ph.D., and William R Gargiulo, Jr. are the only directors who are not independent because Mr. Parrish is our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Felch was employed by the Company during the past three years, Mr. Gargiulo receives compensation as a consultant and Dr. Leeper is currently employed as our Senior Strategic Adviser.

Board Leadership Structure

We currently have the same person serving as the Chief Executive Officer and as Chairman of the Board of Directors. O.B. Parrish has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 1994 and as the Chairman of the Board since 1987. Although our Board of Directors does not have a formal policy with respect to its leadership structure, we believe that currently combining the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman serves as an effective link between management’s role of identifying, assessing and managing risks and the Board of Directors’ role of risk oversight. Mr. Parrish possesses in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges we face, and is thus best positioned to develop agendas and highlight issues that ensure that the Board of Directors’ time and attention are focused on the most critical matters. In addition, our Board of Directors has determined that this leadership structure is appropriate for us because it believes that having one leader serving as both the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer provides decisive, consistent and effective leadership, as well as clear accountability. Having one person serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer also enhances our ability to communicate our message and strategy clearly and consistently to our shareholders, employees, and business partners. Although we believe that the combination of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles is appropriate under current circumstances, we will continue to review this issue periodically to determine whether, based on the relevant facts and circumstances, separation of these offices would serve our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders.

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The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The role of our Board of Directors in our risk oversight process includes receiving reports from members of our senior management on areas of material risk to the Company, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, and strategic and reputational risks. The Board has authorized the Audit Committee to oversee and periodically review our enterprise risk assessment and enterprise risk management policies.

Director Nominations

We have a standing Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Based on the review described under “Corporate Governance Matters — Director Independence,” our Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent under the applicable standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director nominees recommended by our shareholders. A shareholder who wishes to recommend a person or persons for consideration as a nominee for election to the Board of Directors must send a written notice by mail, c/o Secretary, The Female Health Company, 515 North State Street, Suite 2225, Chicago, Illinois 60654, that sets forth: (1) the name, address (business and residence), date of birth and principal occupation or employment (present and for the past five years) of each person whom the shareholder proposes to be considered as a nominee; (2) the number of shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned (as defined by section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) by each such proposed nominee; (3) any other information regarding such proposed nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a definitive proxy statement to shareholders prepared in connection with an election of directors pursuant to section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (4) the name and address (business and residential) of the shareholder making the recommendation and the number of shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned (as defined by section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) by the shareholder making the recommendation. We may require any proposed nominee to furnish additional information as may be reasonably required to determine the qualifications of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Company. Shareholder recommendations will be considered only if received no less than 120 days nor more than 150 days before the date of the proxy statement sent to shareholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider any nominee recommended by a shareholder in accordance with the preceding paragraph under the same criteria as any other potential nominee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that a nominee recommended for a position on our Board of Directors must have an appropriate mix of director characteristics, experience, diverse perspectives and skills. For new potential board members, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will in the first instance consider the independence of the potential member and the appropriate size of the board and then the qualifications of the proposed member. Qualifications of a prospective nominee that may be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include:

We do not have a formal policy for the consideration of diversity by our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in identifying nominees for director. Diversity is one of the factors the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider and in this respect diversity may include race, gender, national origin or other characteristics.

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Communications between Shareholders and the Board of Directors

We have placed on our website located at www.femalehealth.com a description of the procedures for shareholders to communicate with our Board of Directors, a description of our policy for our directors and nominee directors to attend the Annual Meeting and the number of directors who attended last year’s annual meeting of shareholders.

Code of Business Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Business Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. A copy of the Code of Business Ethics is available on our website which is located at www.femalehealth.com. We also intend to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Business Ethics on our website.

AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS

Report of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is comprised of three members of our Board of Directors. Based upon the review described above under “Corporate Governance Matters — Director Independence,” our Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent as defined in the listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market and the rules of the SEC. The duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter.

The Audit Committee has:

Based on such review and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 for filing with the SEC.

AUDIT COMMITTEE:

Mary Margaret Frank, Ph.D. (Chairperson)

David R. Bethune

Michael R. Walton

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Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The following table summarizes the fees we paid for audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm, McGladrey LLP, during fiscal 2012 and 2011:

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company considered that the provision of the services and the payment of the fees described above are compatible with maintaining the independence of McGladrey LLP.

The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and pre-approving any non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has delegated its pre-approval authority to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee to act between meetings of the Audit Committee. Any pre-approval given by the Chairperson of the Audit Committee pursuant to this delegation is presented to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee or Chairperson of the Audit Committee reviews and, if appropriate, approves non-audit service engagements, taking into account the proposed scope of the non-audit services, the proposed fees for the non-audit services, whether the non-audit services are permissible under applicable law or regulation and the likely impact of the non-audit services on the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.

Each new engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm to perform non-audit services set forth in the table above has been approved in advance by the Audit Committee or the Chairperson of the Audit Committee pursuant to the foregoing procedures.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

Our Board of Directors has determined that one of the members of the Audit Committee, Mary Margaret Frank, Ph.D., qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules of the SEC based on her work experience and education.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The names of, and certain information regarding, executive officers and certain key employees of the Company who are not directors of the Company as of the date of this Proxy Statement, are set forth below.

MICHELE GRECO

Age: 54; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Greco has served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since January 2013. Ms. Greco is a CPA with nearly 30 years of experience in public accounting with Ernst & Young LLP. From January 2011 to February 2012, Ms. Greco provided consulting services to Systems Research Incorporated as a recruiter of finance professionals. From March 2009 to January 2011, Ms. Greco was involved in a series of personal business ventures. From 1994 to March 2009, Ms. Greco served as an audit partner with Ernst & Young LLP. Ms. Greco joined Ernst & Young LLP in 1981.

MICHAEL POPE

Age: 55; Vice President, Global Manufacturing and the General Manager and a Director of The Female Health Company (UK) Plc.

Mr. Pope has served as Vice President of the Company since 1996 and as General Manager of The Female Health Company (UK) Plc. (formerly Chartex International, Plc.) since the Company’s 1996 acquisition of Chartex. Mr. Pope has also served as a Director of The Female Health Company, Ltd. (formerly Chartex Resources Limited) and The Female Health Company (UK) Plc. since 1995. He has been responsible for the technical development of FC2, the Company’s second generation female condum, including the design of the manufacturing process and manufacturing scale-up, and the manufacturing section of the Pre-Market Approval Application submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”). He is also responsible for the Malaysian subsidiary that manufactures FC2, which includes engineering, process development and quality assurance. From 1990 until 1996, Mr. Pope was Director of Technical Operations for Chartex with responsibility for manufacturing, engineering, process development and quality assurance. Mr. Pope was responsible for the development of the high speed proprietary manufacturing technology for the female condom and securing the necessary approvals of the manufacturing process by regulatory organizations, including the FDA. Mr. Pope was also instrumental in developing and securing Chartex’s relationship with its Japanese marketing partner. Prior to joining Chartex, from 1986 to 1990, Mr. Pope was Production Manager and Technical Manager for Franklin Medical, a manufacturer of disposable medical devices. From 1982 to 1986, Mr. Pope was Site Manager, Engineering and Production Manager, Development Manager and Silicon Manager for Warne Surgical Products.

JANET LEE

Age: 48; Controller

Ms. Lee has served as Controller of the Company since May 2007. From November 2002 until May 2007, Ms. Lee served the Society of Thoracic Surgeons as Accounting Manager/Analyst. Previously, she held various financial positions at RR Donnelley and Sons Company and ServiceMaster.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP

The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership of our Common Stock as of February 13, 2013 with respect to (1) each person known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of our Common Stock, (2) each named executive officer (as defined below under the heading “Executive Compensation”) and each director of the Company and (3) all directors and executive officers as a group.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons and entities included in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under applicable law. Shares of our Common Stock subject to options that are either currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of February 13, 2013 are treated as outstanding and beneficially owned by the holder for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the holder. However, these shares are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. This table lists applicable percentage ownership based on 28,669,916 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 13, 2013.

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The above beneficial ownership information is based on information furnished by the specified person and is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as required for purposes of this Proxy Statement. This information should not be construed as an admission of beneficial ownership for other purposes.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company’s officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC on Forms 3, 4 and 5. Officers, directors and greater than 10% shareholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 they file.

Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the Company, or written representations that no Forms 5 were required, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012 all reports required by Section 16(a) to be filed by the Company’s officers, directors and more than 10% shareholders were filed on a timely basis, except that Mr. Bethune filed a Form 4 on October 27, 2011 reporting transactions occurring on October 18, 2011.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Introduction

This section discusses the principles underlying the Company’s compensation decisions for fiscal 2012 for the Company’s named executive officers and the most important factors relevant to an analysis of these decisions. It also provides information regarding the manner and context in which compensation is awarded to and earned by the named executive officers. In fiscal 2012, the Company had three executive officers, and we refer to these executive officers as the “named executive officers” throughout this section:

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The compensation of these individuals is presented in the tables and other quantitative information that follow this section. Ms. Felch retired from her position as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective December 31, 2012.

Overview

The Company experienced very strong operating results in fiscal 2012, with unit sales increasing by 88% over fiscal 2011, net revenues increasing by 89% over fiscal 2011 and operating income increasing by 232% over fiscal 2011. Because the Company’s executive compensation program is heavily weighted towards pay for performance, particularly through the Company’s annual performance award program, the named executive officers received significant cash incentive compensation payouts for fiscal 2012. By contrast, in fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2011 when the performance objectives were not met, the named executive officers did not receive cash incentive compensation payouts under the annual performance award program.

The Company’s compensation strategy is to closely align its compensation programs with shareholders’ interests by providing effective incentives for performance and a level of compensation needed to attract, motivate and maintain key executives who are important to the Company’s continued success. Nearly all of the compensation to the named executive officers consists of only three components: a modest base salary, an annual performance award program and periodic restricted stock grants. As part of aligning executive compensation with shareholders’ interests, the Company’s annual performance award program is based solely on achievement of corporate goals (unit sales and operating income targets). The program is straightforward and rewards management with cash incentives only if 100% of both corporate goals are achieved. For fiscal year 2012, the program offered an enhanced performance award if achievement reaches 110% of both goals and a maximum performance reward if achievement reaches 115% of both goals. If both goals are achieved, the amount of the cash payout is based on the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock for the last ten trading days of the fiscal year. In fiscal 2012, achievement exceeded 115% of both goals, resulting in payment of the maximum performance award to participants.

The Company’s executive compensation program is clear and straightforward. The Company does not have employment agreements with any of the named executive officers and, therefore, unless there is a change of control of the Company, the named executive officers do not have a contractual right to any minimum level of base salary, incentive awards or other compensation or any right to annual increases in base salary. None of the named executive officers have any rights to severance payments except in connection with a change of control. Change of control agreements provide for payment of three times a named executive officer’s base salary and bonus and certain additional benefits upon termination of employment following a change of control under the agreements. The Company offers limited perquisites to its named executive officers and does not offer supplemental retirement benefits to any of the named executive officers. The only retirement benefit the Company offers to the named executive officers is participation in a Simple Individual Retirement Account plan by Ms. Felch.

Key Compensation Actions in Fiscal 2012

The compensation actions taken by the Compensation Committee in fiscal 2012 included the following:

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At the Company’s 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, pursuant to a non-binding, advisory vote, shareholders approved the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for the meeting by a vote of 11,081,787 shares in favor to 177,224 against. The Compensation Committee has considered the results of this advisory shareholder vote and believes that it shows support by the Company’s shareholders for the Company’s compensation philosophy and the executive compensation programs that implement the Company’s compensation philosophy. The Company has not significantly changed its executive compensation program following the shareholder advisory vote. The Board of Directors has determined that future shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation will occur every three years. Accordingly, the next shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation will be held at our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Executive Compensation Program Objectives and Philosophy

The Company has designed the compensation program for its named executive officers to align the interests of the named executive officers with those of shareholders. To do so, the Company provides a modest level of base pay and incentivizes executives to achieve corporate goals through restricted stock grants and an annual performance award program that ties cash incentives to performance goal achievement and year-end stock prices. The Company believes its executive compensation package, as a whole, is competitive with companies of a similar size in the HIV/AIDS product arena.

A named executive officer’s compensation opportunity is impacted by the Company’s performance and stock price. By design, the annual performance awards are paid only if the performance goals are attained, and, if the performance goals are surpassed by either 10%, or 15%, the program provides for higher levels of award payouts. With restricted stock grants, the value is not realized until the vesting requirement is met. Enhanced value is possible if the stock price increases after the grant is awarded.

Process for Determining Executive Compensation

Information Reviewed by the Compensation Committee.    Compensation for the named executive officers and other senior managers is reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee views compensation as an ongoing process. The Compensation Committee receives and reviews materials in advance of each meeting, including materials that management believes will be helpful to the Compensation Committee as well as materials specifically requested by members of the Compensation Committee.

The Compensation Committee annually reviews performance information provided by the Chief Executive Officer, including an assessment of overall corporate performance and an assessment of individual performance and compensation recommendations for each named executive officer, other than himself. The Chief Executive Officer does not submit an assessment of his own performance or present a recommendation on his own compensation, and does not participate in the portion of the meeting where his compensation is approved. The Compensation Committee considers the assessment and the input it receives from management, and exercises its own judgment in evaluating performance.

The Compensation Committee’s charter requires that the Company provide the Compensation Committee with adequate funding to engage any compensation consultants or other advisers the Compensation Committee deems it appropriate to engage. During fiscal 2012 and 2013 to date, the Compensation Committee did not engage any consultants to assist it in reviewing the Company’s compensation practices and levels.

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Involvement of Management.    Management plays a significant role in assisting the Compensation Committee in its oversight of compensation. Management’s role includes assisting the Compensation Committee with evaluating employee performance, establishing individual performance targets and objectives, recommending salary levels and equity incentive grants, and providing financial data on company performance, calculations and reports on achievement of performance objectives, and other information requested by the Compensation Committee. The Chief Executive Officer works with the Compensation Committee in making recommendations regarding overall compensation policies and plans as well as specific compensation levels for the named executive officers and other key employees, other than the Chief Executive Officer. Members of management who were present during a part of the Compensation Committee meetings in fiscal 2012 and the first part of fiscal 2013 included the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. The Compensation Committee makes all decisions regarding the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer without the Chief Executive Officer or any other member of management present.

Use of Market Compensation Data.    Although the Compensation Committee does not use benchmarking to determine executive compensation, it has reviewed market compensation data to help in evaluating the competitiveness of the Company’s executive compensation program. In 2010, at the Compensation Committee’s request, the Company conducted a survey of 2009 executive compensation levels for three comparison groups of public companies with a market capitalization under $200 million, consisting of (1) companies involved in HIV diagnosis, prevention or treatment, (2) companies involved in health care and (3) companies that market medical devices. The named executive officers’ base salaries are below both the mean and the median in each group of the survey while potential bonus and stock compensation are above both the mean and the median. The Compensation Committee intends to conduct such an analysis every three years, consistent with the frequency in which the Company intends to hold future “say on pay” votes.

Components of Executive Compensation

Mix of Compensation.    The Company’s compensation program features three main components:

The mix of compensation is determined largely by the Compensation Committee’s intent to align compensation with the shareholders’ interests. As such, base pay is a modest part of the overall package. The annual performance award, which increases with a higher year-end share price, provides the named executive officers with an incentive to meet corporate targets that are likely to impact stock price. The restricted stock grants offer the named executive officers an additional opportunity to share in the stock value created for shareholders when growth targets are achieved.

Base Salaries.    The Compensation Committee annually reviews the base salaries for the named executive officers. During its review in December 2011, the Compensation Committee determined that a modest increase in the base salaries for the named executive officers based on the rate of inflation for the twelve months ended November 30, 2011, in each executive’s country of residence (the U.S. for Mr. Parrish and Ms. Felch and the U.K. for Mr. Pope) was the appropriate adjustment for fiscal 2012. As a result, the Compensation Committee approved base salary increases for Mr. Parrish and Ms. Felch of approximately 3.0% and for Mr. Pope of approximately 5.0%. These base salary increases took retroactive effect as of October 1, 2011.

At a meeting of the Compensation Committee held on December 13, 2012, the Compensation Committee approved a modest increase in the base salaries for Mr. Parrish and Mr. Pope based on the the rate of inflation for the twelve months ended November 30, 2012, in each executive’s country of residence (the U.S. for Mr. Parrish and the U.K. for Mr. Pope). As a result, the Compensation Committee approved base salary increases for Mr. Parrish of approximately 2.0% and for Mr. Pope of approximately 3.0%. These base salary increases took retroactive effect as of October 1, 2012.

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Annual Performance Awards.    Each year, the named executive officers have the opportunity to receive a cash incentive under the Company’s annual performance award program. Participants are eligible to receive a target payment upon achievement of corporate goals. The target award is calculated by multiplying the designated award quantity by the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock for the last ten trading days of the fiscal year. Thus, the value of the performance award, if achieved, is impacted by the Company’s year-end stock price.

At the beginning of fiscal 2012, the Company established the performance goals under the annual performance award program for fiscal 2012 operating results in the following areas:

Achievement of 100% of both corporate goals will trigger annual incentive performance awards to the named executive officers at the target level. Achievement of at least 110% of both corporate goals triggers an enhanced annual award, while achievement of at least 115% of both corporate goals triggers the maximum annual award. The corporate goals for fiscal 2012 were set at levels that were challenging to achieve, representing significant growth from the prior fiscal year. Both unit sales and operating profit for fiscal 2012 were greater than 115% of both corporate goals, which entitled participants to the maximum performance award.

Under exceptional circumstances the Compensation Committee has the authority to award discretionary cash bonuses outside of the annual performance award program. These discretionary bonuses allow the Company to recognize superior performance by the named executive officers and to have the flexibility to maintain competitive compensation when needed. No discretionary bonuses were awarded to the named executive officers for fiscal 2012, 2011 or 2010.

At a meeting of the Compensation Committee held on December 13, 2012, the Compensation Committee approved a change to the Company’s annual performance award program for fiscal 2013. In addition to a single performance goal for unit sales, there will be two performance goals for operating income for fiscal 2013. Achievement of 100% of unit sales and the threshold operating income goals will trigger annual incentive performance awards to the named executive officers at 50% of the target level, with enhanced awards for achievement of 110% and 115% of these goals. Achievement of at least 100% of unit sales and the enhanced operating income goals will trigger annual incentive performance awards to the named executive officers at the full target level, with enhanced annual awards for achievement of 110% and 115% of these goals. Both the threshold and the enhanced operating income goals represent a significant increase from the Company’s operating income for fiscal 2012.

Restricted Stock Grants.    The Company uses restricted stock grants for its equity incentive awards to be consistent with its objective to align the interests of shareholders and its named executive officers. Stock grants were selected as a long-term incentive, in part, because the value of the grant is impacted by the stock price. The restricted stock grants generally vest over a period of years, in a number of tranches. The staggered vesting schedule was selected because the Compensation Committee believes it is consistent with industry practice, while providing a relatively long retention benefit. Instead of annual grants of stock, the Company has generally staggered the grants so that the named executive officers generally hold some unvested shares at all times to promote the Company’s retention objectives.

Prior to the Compensation Committee setting the size of restricted stock grants, the Chief Executive Officer makes a recommendation to the Compensation Committee for the other named executive officers. The Chief Executive Officer generally uses historic awards and stock price trends as a starting point in developing his recommendation (other than for himself). That information is also available to the Compensation Committee when it makes its decisions. Following review of the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations, the Compensation Committee also considers, in its collective experience and judgment, the Chief Executive Officer’s individual performance assessments of the other named executive officers and other factors regarding executive retention considerations. No formal weightings are applied to these factors in determining the size of restricted stock grants.

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No equity awards were granted in fiscal 2012. Restricted stock grants were awarded in fiscal 2011 to retain certain key employees who were viewed by the Compensation Committee as important to continuing to achieve the Company’s corporate goals. A total of 180,000 shares were granted in December 2010 to a total of four executives and employees, including 45,000 shares to each of Mr. Parrish, Ms. Felch and Mr. Pope. Half of the restricted stock granted in December 2010 vest in twenty-four months (December 2012), with the other half vesting in thirty-six months (December 2013). The shares of restricted stock have all the rights of our Common Stock, including voting and dividend rights. Unvested shares are subject to forfeiture if the holder voluntarily leaves the Company or is terminated for cause. Ms. Felch retained 22,500 unvested shares of restricted stock after her retriement on December 31, 2012, and these shares will vest as long as Ms. Felch continues to provide services to the Company as a consultant or director. All shares will vest immediately if there is a change in control of the Company. As Mr. Pope is a resident of the U.K., rather than an immediate grant of restricted stock, his grant of 45,000 shares was in the form of the right to receive 22,500 shares in December 2012 and 22,500 shares in December 2013, unless Mr. Pope voluntarily leaves the Company or his employment is terminated for cause prior to such dates. Any remaining grants will be immediately issued to Mr. Pope if there is a change in control of the Company. In connection with dividends declared by the Company on its Common Stock, an amount equal to the dividend that would have been payable on the 45,000 shares that Mr. Pope is entitled to receive pursuant to this grant will be credited to Mr. Pope, with such credit payable when and to the extent the applicable shares are subsequently issued.

The Company does not currently maintain any formal policy regarding executive officer stock ownership or the hedging of economic risk related to such stock ownership nor does it have any program, plan or obligation that requires it to grant equity compensation to any executive officer on specified dates. The authority to make equity grants to executive officers rests with the Compensation Committee, although, as noted above, the Compensation Committee does consider the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer in setting the compensation of the other named executive officers.

Change of Control Agreements

The Company has entered into change of control agreements with each of the named executive officers. These agreements act as springing employment agreements which take effect upon a change of control. The Company provides these agreements based on competitive market practice, and to ensure that the executives’ interests remain aligned with shareholders while the Company considers, or during the pendency of, a transaction that involves a change of control. Additional information regarding these agreements, including a description of key terms and a quantification of benefits that would be received by the named executive officers had termination or a change in control occurred on September 30, 2012, is found below under the heading “Potential Payments on Termination After a Change of Control.”

Compensation Deductibility Policy

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction to a public corporation for compensation over $1.0 million paid for any fiscal year to each of the individuals who were, at the end of the fiscal year, the corporation’s chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers other than the chief financial officer. Performance-based compensation that has been approved by shareholders is excluded from the $1.0 million deductibility limit if certain requirements are met. Neither the Company’s annual performance award program nor its 1997 Stock Option Plan were approved by its shareholders, and therefore any compensation the Company pays under such plans does not qualify for the exclusion from the $1.0 million deductibility limit in Section 162(m).

The Company does not believe that any of the compensation it paid to its named executive officers prior to fiscal 2012 exceeded the limit on deductibility in Section 162(m). During fiscal 2012, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer exercised stock options granted under the 1997 Stock Option Plan which resulted in compensation in excess of $2.1 million based on the spread between the market price of our Common Stock and the exercise price of options on the date of exercise, which will cause his fiscal 2012 compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) to exceed the $1.0 million deductibility limit by more than $1.2 million. Section 162(m) will disallow the Company from deducting the amount of such compensation to the Chief Executive Officer for fiscal

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2012 in excess of $1.0 million. After this stock option exercise, no stock options under the 1997 Stock Option Plan are held by any of the Company’s named executive officers. In addition, due to the achievement of the goals for payment of enhanced awards under the Company’s annual performance award program for fiscal 2012, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer will receive a cash incentive payout of $910,000. For federal income tax accounting purposes, the Company’s deduction, if any, for the compensation relating to the Chief Executive Officer’s fiscal 2012 cash incentive payout will accrue in fiscal 2013. As a result, the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation will likely exceed the $1.0 million deductibility limit in Section 162(m) for fiscal 2013. Section 162(m) will disallow the Company from deducting the amount of such compensation to the Chief Executive Officer for fiscal 2013 in excess of $1.0 million.

The Compensation Committee intends to continue to monitor the applicability of Section 162(m) in connection with future compensation to the Company’s named executive officers. Although the Compensation Committee may consider tax deductibility in connection with future compensation decisions, it believes that it is generally not in the shareholders’ interest to restrict the Compensation Committee’s discretion and flexibility in developing appropriate compensation programs and establishing compensation levels and, in some instances, the Compensation Committee may approve compensation that is not fully deductible.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee:

Stephen Dearholt (Chair)

David Bethune

Michael Walton

Richard Wenninger

Mary Margaret Frank

Summary Compensation Table

The table shown below provides information for the Company’s last three fiscal years regarding compensation paid by the Company to its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer and its only other executive officer. The individuals listed in this table are referred to elsewhere in this proxy statement as the “named executive officers.”

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Grants of Plan–Based Awards

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year–End

The following table provides information regarding unvested restricted stock and rights to receive stock held by the named executive officers at September 30, 2012. None of the named executive officers held any unexercised stock options as of September 30, 2012.

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Options Exercised and Stock Vested

The following table provides information regarding the stock options exercised by the named executive officers during fiscal 2012 and the shares of restricted stock held by, or shares of stock issued pursuant to rights to received stock held by, the named executive officers that vested or were issued during fiscal 2012.

Potential Payments on Termination After a Change of Control

Effective October 1, 2005, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement with each of O.B. Parrish and Michael Pope, and effective February 8, 2006, the Company entered into a Change of Control Agreement with Donna Felch. These agreements essentially act as springing employment agreements which provide that, upon a change of control, as defined in the agreement, the Company will continue to employ the executive for a period of three years in the same capacities as prior to the change of control, with an annual base salary equal to 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid during the 12 months prior to the change of control, an annual bonus equal to the higher of (1) the average of the three highest bonuses paid with respect to the five fiscal years prior to the change of control or (2) the bonus paid for the most recent fiscal year prior to the change of control, and other benefits substantially equivalent to what the executive was receiving prior to the change of control, in each case as specified in the agreements. If the executive is terminated without cause or if he or she resigns for good reason, in each case as defined in the agreements, after the change of control and during the three year employment period, including a termination by the executive for any reason within 180 days after the change of control, the executive is generally entitled to receive the following benefits:

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The terms of the grant agreements for the stock awards granted to the named executive officers also provide for immediate vesting (or, in the case of Mr. Pope, immediate issuance) upon a change of control.

The following table sets forth the compensation that the named executive officers would have been eligible to receive if the applicable named executive officer’s employment had been terminated as of September 30, 2012, under circumstances requiring payment of severance benefits as described above in connection with a change of control as well as the value as of September 30, 2012 of the outstanding unvested stock awards of the named executive officers that would vest upon a change of control (or, in the case of Mr. Pope, be issued).

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Overview

In December 2010, the Board of Directors approved a new arrangement to compensate non-employee directors for their service as Board members. Non-employee directors were given an election to receive either a restricted stock grant or quarterly cash compensation. Each director who elected a restricted stock grant would receive 21,000 shares of restricted stock, vesting in three tranches of 7,000 shares on the first, second and third anniversary of the grant, as compensation for a three year period. Each director who elected cash would receive a quarterly compensation payment of $7,500. Four out of five independent directors chose the restricted stock compensation option. The independent director who initially chose the cash compensation changed the election after twelve months and received a proportionate grant of restricted stock. In addition, in fiscal 2012, Dr. Frank received fees for committee participation and Mr. Bethune received fees for committee participation and for providing special assistance to management in connection with designated projects.

As described below, one of the Company’s directors, Mary Ann Leeper, receives compensation as the Company’s Senior Strategic Adviser pursuant to an employment agreement, and another director, William R. Gargiulo, Jr. receives consulting fees. They do not receive compensation as directors.

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Director Summary Compensation Table

The following table provides information concerning the compensation paid by the Company in fiscal 2012 to each of its directors who are not named executive officers of the Company.

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As of September 30, 2012, the directors who are not executive officers of the Company held the following number of stock options and shares of unvested restricted stock:

Dr. Leeper has served as the Company’s Senior Strategic Adviser since May 2006 when she retired from the positions of President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Dr. Leeper’s services as Senior Strategic Adviser are governed by the terms of an employment agreement dated January 20, 2006, between the Company and Dr. Leeper. The employment agreement took effect as of May 1, 2006, and originally was to expire on September 30, 2006, but has been extended a number of times with the most recent extension lasting until December 31, 2007. Since the contract expiration, the Company has continued to employ Dr. Leeper based on the same terms. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Dr. Leeper receives an annual base salary of at least $150,000 and is entitled to participate in the Company’s bonus plans, stock incentive plan and other employee benefit plans. Additionally, Dr. Leeper is eligible to participate in any medical, health, dental, disability and life insurance policy that is in effect for the Company’s other senior management. Pursuant to the employment agreement, Dr. Leeper has agreed not to compete with the Company during employment and for a period of two years following termination of employment (six months if employment is terminated by the Company after a “change of control”) and has agreed to maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s proprietary information and trade secrets during the term of employment and for three years thereafter. The employment agreement provides that if Dr. Leeper’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by Dr. Leeper for “good reason,” Dr. Leeper will be entitled to a severance payment of $125,000 and a payment of $50,000 in consideration of the noncompetition and confidentiality covenants, except that if such termination occurs at any time after or in anticipation of a “change of control” with respect to the Company, Dr. Leeper will be entitled solely to those amounts to which she is entitled under the Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement dated October 1, 2005 by and between the Company and Dr. Leeper. The terms of such Amended and Restated Change of Control Agreement are substantially the same as those summarized under the heading “Potential Payments on Termination After a Change of Control.” If the termination of Dr. Leeper’s employment occurs as a result of the death or disability of Dr. Leeper, then she shall be entitled to receive the greater of (a) her base salary or (b) the remaining amounts due her under the terms of the employment agreement.

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Transactions with Related Persons

In connection with the retirement of Donna Felch as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company on December 31, 2012, Ms. Felch and the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement dated as of January 1, 2013 (the “Consulting Agreement”). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, Ms. Felch will provide consulting services relating to special projects and other tasks assigned by the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Consulting Agreement has a term of at least six months and continues thereafter until either party gives at least 30 days’ prior written notice of termination. Under the Consulting Agreement, Ms. Felch will earn consulting fees at an annual rate of $100,000 and will continue to receive health and other similar benefits. In addition, the Consulting Agreement clarifies that 22,500 shares of unvested restricted stock held by Ms. Felch will continue to vest on December 16, 2013 as long as Ms. Felch continues to serve either as a consultant or director of the Company through such date.

Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions

It has been and currently is the policy of the Company that transactions between the Company and its officers, directors, principal shareholders or affiliates are to be on terms no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated parties. The Company intends that any future transactions between the Company and its officers, directors, principal shareholders or affiliates will be approved by a majority of the directors who are not financially interested in the transaction.

PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has appointed McGladrey LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as auditors to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013. Our Board of Directors proposes that the shareholders ratify this appointment. McGladrey LLP audited our financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. We expect that representatives of McGladrey LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

In the event that ratification of the appointment of McGladrey LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company is not obtained at the Annual Meeting, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors will reconsider its appointment, and may retain that firm or another firm without resubmitting the matter to our shareholders. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, direct the appointment of a different firm at any time during the fiscal year if it determines that such change would be in our best interests.

Under Wisconsin law, the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm requires the number of votes cast in favor of this proposal, whether in person or by proxy, to exceed the number of votes cast against this proposal, assuming a quorum is present.

The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the ratification of McGladrey LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending September  30, 2013.

PROPOSALS FOR 2014 ANNUAL MEETING

Any shareholder who desires to submit a proposal for inclusion in our 2014 Proxy Statement in accordance with Rule 14a-8 must submit the proposal in writing to O.B. Parrish, Chief Executive Officer, The Female Health Company, 515 North State Street, Suite 2225, Chicago, Illinois 60654. We must receive a proposal by October 28, 2013 (120 days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of this Proxy Statement) in order to consider it for inclusion in our 2014 Proxy Statement.

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Proposals submitted other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 that are not intended for inclusion in the Company’s 2014 Proxy Statement will be considered untimely if received after January 11, 2014 (45 days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of this Proxy Statement). If a shareholder gives notice of such a proposal after this deadline, SEC rules allow our proxy holders discretionary voting authority to vote against the shareholder proposal to the extent it is properly presented for consideration at the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ANNUAL REPORT

We are required to file an Annual Report, called a Form 10-K, with the SEC. A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012 will be provided without charge on written request of any shareholder whose proxy is being solicited by the Board of Directors. The written request should be directed to: Corporate Secretary, The Female Health Company, 515 North State Street, Suite 2225, Chicago, Illinois 60654.

EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION

The cost of this solicitation of proxies will be paid by the Company. It is anticipated that the proxies will be solicited only by mail, except that solicitation personally or by telephone may also be made by our regular employees who will receive no additional compensation for their services in connection with the solicitation. Arrangements will be made with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for the forwarding of solicitation material and annual reports to beneficial owners of stock held by such persons. We will reimburse such parties for their expenses in so doing.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

WILLIAM R. GARGIULO, JR.,

Secretary

Chicago, Illinois

February 25, 2013

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THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY

For All

Withhold All

For All Except

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote     FOR the following:

Vote on Directors

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposal 2:

For

Against

Abstain

2.

To ratify the appointment of McGladrey LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013.

3.

In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.

For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.

Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.

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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

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