Latex-free condoms
Know what latex-free condom options you have
If you suspect or know that you have an allergy to condom latex you should seriously consider the options that condoms manufactured without latex offer you. Remember that the best protection against pregnancy and the spread of any sexually transmitted disease / infection (STI) is still the condom.
LifeStyles SKYN LARGE Condoms - 25 condoms
In the nineties some manufacturers began to make latex-free male condoms for people with this type of allergy.
Currently there are options available for sale in the United States of condoms manufactured without latex. We present you:
Polyurethane condoms
In the US market there are two brands of male polyurethane condoms (Durex Avanti condoms and Trojan Supra condoms) and a female polyurethane condom brand (Reality).
Polyurethane condoms both male and female condom have advantages over latex condoms:
- They heat better than latex (which allows the sensations during sexual intercourse to be greater)
- They are thinner than most latex condoms
- They have no aroma or are not perceptible
- They are not damaged when used with lubricants containing oil.
- Among the disadvantages we have:
- Polyurethane does not stretch as much as latex or polyisoprene, so the percentage of slippage and rupture of condoms is greater
- The effectiveness of polyurethane condoms in preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases / infections (STIs) continues to be studied, that is, it does not guarantee the same efficacy as latex condoms.
- On this last point it is necessary to clarify that the condoms manufactured with this material are still very new to have enough studies to prove their effectiveness. Even in the United States, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requires manufacturers to label their condoms with the following warning:
"The risk of pregnancy or transmission of sexually transmitted diseases / infections (STDs), including AIDS (HIV infection), are unknown for this type of condom." A study is underway. latex-free material, these tests show that organisms as small as sperm and viruses like HIV can not pass through it. "
The American Latex Allergy Association states that while latex-free condoms do not have the same proven efficacy as latex condoms, they are a suitable substitute for people with latex allergies.
Polyisoprene or Nitrile Condoms
Condoms made with polyisoprene (The brand known as SKYN) entered the market in 2008 and those manufactured with Nitrile (FC2 female condoms) have more time on the market.
Advantage:
- Polyisoprene is a synthetic version of a material derived from the sap of the hevea tree and does not contain the proteins that the latex has
- It is as strong and safe as latex
- Polyisoprene condoms are not as thin as polyurethane, but they are elastic and have a lower percentage of breakage and slippage
- It has lower cost than those that are made of latex
- Unlike polyurethane, condoms made of polyisoprene and nitrile are approved by the FDA and are considered an effective method to prevent pregnancy and reduce the spread of E / ITS
- Lamb skin condoms
People who use it say they do not perceive the presence of the condom
They are effective in preventing pregnancies
Disadvantages:
- They do not provide protection against E / ITS
- They are extremely expensive (the most expensive in the market starting at $ 3 per condom).
- It has a smell that resembles a stable or pen.