EXHIBIT A

                                PROMISSORY NOTE

$50,000.00                                                  February 18, 1999

     FOR VALUE RECEIVED, THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY, a Wisconsin corporation,
promises to pay to the order of O.B. Parrish, at his office in the City of
Chicago, Illinois, the principal sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00),
payable in full on February 18, 2000.

     The unpaid principal balance hereof shall bear interest, payable monthly
on the last day of each calendar month commencing February 28, 1999, and at
maturity (whether stated maturity or upon acceleration), computed at a rate
equal to 12% per annum.  Principal amounts unpaid at the maturity thereof
(whether by fixed maturity or acceleration) shall bear interest from and after
maturity until paid computed at a rate equal to 18% per annum.  Principal of
and interest on this Note shall be payable in lawful money of the United
States.

     All interest payable on this note shall be computed for the actual number
of days elapsed using a daily rate determined by dividing the annual rate by
365.  Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a
Saturday, Sunday or public holiday under the laws of the State of Wisconsin,
such payment may be made on the next succeeding business day, and such
extension of time shall be included in the computation of interest on this
note.

     This note constitutes the Note issued under a Note Purchase and Warrant
Agreement dated as of the date hereof between the undersigned and O.B. Parrish
to which Agreement reference is hereby made for a statement of the terms and
conditions on which the loan evidenced hereby was made and for a description of
the terms and conditions upon which this Note may be prepaid, in whole or in
part, or its maturity accelerated.

                                   THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY


                                   By:    /s/ O.B. Parrish
                                        -----------------
                                        President