Types of Condoms: Latex, Non-Latex, Polyurethane & More
Condoms Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All: Latex, Non-Latex & More
Condoms are one of the few sexual health tools that can help prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of HIV and many sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are options beyond the traditional latex condom.
But just to be clear, penile condoms are 98% effective at reducing unwanted pregnancy and STI/HIV transmission when used perfectly. When accounting for human error––condoms are 85%-87% effective.
If we’re being honest, condoms can sometimes come with an unpleasant rubbery smell. Some people also feel like thicker condoms decrease sensation or create a barrier between them and their partner.
And that’s exactly why it’s worth knowing what’s actually available.
Sexual protection barriers come in different materials, sizes, thicknesses, textures, and designs. If you’ve avoided condoms because of latex irritation, smell, sensitivity, or simply because you don’t like the way they feel, you may not have found the right condom yet.
Latex is not your only option.
Latex Condoms
Latex condoms are the most common external condoms on the market. They are made from natural rubber latex, which comes from rubber trees.
They are widely available, affordable, and highly effective when used correctly and consistently. Latex condoms are also well established for reducing the risk of HIV and many STIs.
A few things to know:
Made from natural rubber latex
Widely available and usually the most affordable option
Available in thin, ultra-thin, ribbed, flavored, textured, and larger-size varieties
Can have the familiar “rubbery” smell
Not appropriate for people with a latex allergy
Water- or silicone-based lubricants can be used with latex condoms; oil-based lubricants can weaken latex.
Spoiler: Magnum condoms are latex. In fact, Trojan states that its Magnum line is made from natural rubber latex. However, these are not the only large condoms on the market.
Polyisoprene Condoms
Non-latex does not automatically mean plastic.
Polyisoprene is a synthetic rubber that is designed to mimic some of the stretch and feel of natural latex without containing natural rubber latex.
This is one of the popular alternatives for people who experience latex sensitivity or simply prefer the feel of a non-latex condom.
What you can expect:
Latex-free
Stretchy and flexible
Soft, rubber-like feel
Available in thin and ultra-thin options
Water- and silicone-based lubricants are generally compatible
Designed to provide pregnancy and STI protection when used correctly
Popular brands include SKYN and Durex Real Feel. SKYN condoms are made with SKYNFEEL®, a synthetic polyisoprene material, while Durex Real Feel condoms are made from synthetic polyisoprene.
And yes, polyisoprene condoms can have less of that classic latex smell.
Polyurethane Condoms
If heat transfer and sensitivity are your priorities, polyurethane condoms are worth knowing about.
Polyurethane is a thin, clear plastic material. Unlike latex and polyisoprene, polyurethane doesn't stretch in quite the same way, but it can be made extremely thin and conducts body heat better.
Translation?
You may feel more of your partner's natural body heat.
Polyurethane condoms are:
Non-latex
Thin and lightweight
Good at conducting body heat
Available in very thin options
Compatible with water-, silicone-, and oil-based lubricants
Less stretchy than latex
More prone to slipping or breaking than latex in some circumstances
The CDC recognizes polyurethane condoms as an effective non-latex option for pregnancy and STI/HIV prevention when used correctly.
Heat transfer matters because the material makes a difference. Polyurethane generally transfers body heat better than latex, while its ability to be manufactured very thin can also contribute to a more “barely there” sensation. Durex specifically describes polyurethane as conducting body heat better than latex and polyisoprene.
Trojan currently offers non-latex polyurethane options, including Trojan Raw Pure Feel and Trojan G.O.A.T.
So, Which Condom Material Transfers Heat Best?
Here's the simple breakdown:
Polyurethane––best heat transfer
Polyisoprene––softer, stretchy, more rubber-like feel
Latex––stretchy, widely available, reliable barrier
Material isn't the only thing that determines how a condom feels. Thickness, fit, lubrication, and condom shape can make a huge difference too. A condom that fits properly and doesn't create excessive friction can feel dramatically different from one that is too tight, too loose, or too thick.
Lambskin or Natural Membrane Condoms
Here's where you need to pay attention.
Lambskin condoms are technically non-latex, but they are not the non-latex option you want if STI or HIV prevention is your goal.
They're made from natural membrane, traditionally from lamb cecum. The membrane has tiny pores that can prevent sperm from passing through but are large enough for viruses and other pathogens to pass through.
Lambskin condoms can help prevent pregnancy, but they should NOT be used for HIV or STI prevention.
They can also have a noticeable odor because they're made from animal membrane.
So if you're thinking, “I'm allergic to latex, let me grab lambskin,” pause.
Non-latex does not automatically mean STI protection.
Internal Condoms
The internal condom—formerly called the “female condom”—is another option.
Unlike an external condom, an internal condom is worn inside the vagina. It is a soft pouch with an inner ring and an outer ring and is typically made from nitrile, a synthetic material.
This condom is about 95% effective if used perfectly at reducing unwanted pregnancy and STI/HIV transmission. Accounting for human error––this condom is 79% effective.
It can provide protection against pregnancy and STIs when used correctly. It also gives the receptive partner more control over putting on the barrier before sex.
What makes it different?
Non-latex
Made from nitrile
Worn inside the vagina
Covers part of the vulva
Can be inserted before sex
Can be used for vaginal sex and, depending on the product and instructions, anal sex
Do not use an internal and external condom together because the friction can cause tearing.
Flavored Condoms
Flavored condoms are designed primarily to make oral sex more enjoyable by adding flavors and scents.
Strawberry, banana, vanilla, chocolate—you name it, there's probably a condom for it.
But don't automatically assume a flavored condom is appropriate for every type of sex.
Check the package directions. Some flavored condoms are specifically marketed for oral sex, and ingredients such as flavoring agents can potentially cause irritation for some people when used vaginally.
The important part isn't simply whether a condom tastes good.
It's what the manufacturer says the condom is designed for.
Dental Dams
Dental dams are another form of barrier protection, but instead of covering a penis, they create a barrier between the mouth and the vulva, vagina, or anus during oral sex.
They can be made from latex or non-latex materials and are designed to reduce exposure to bodily fluids and skin during oral sex.
Dental dams can be:
Thin
Flavored
Latex or non-latex
Used over the vulva or anus
Helpful for reducing STI exposure during oral sex
And here's a little sex-education hack:
If you don't have a dental dam, you can make a barrier from an external condom by cutting off the tip and cutting the condom lengthwise down the side, then opening it into a flat sheet.
Just make sure you're using a condom that is appropriate for the type of sexual contact you're having.
Brands With Non-Latex Condom Options
If you've only been reaching for the same box of latex condoms every time, here's where things get interesting.
Several major brands now offer non-latex choices.
B Condoms––a Black-owned condom brand offering a variety of condom materials and additional sexual health and prevention products.
Trojan offers non-latex polyurethane condoms, including Raw Pure Feel and G.O.A.T.
SKYN makes condoms from synthetic polyisoprene rather than natural rubber latex. SKYN Original, for example, is designed to be soft and thin while maintaining a latex-free barrier.
Durex offers non-latex polyisoprene condoms, including Durex Real Feel. The brand also offers nitrile condoms in its U.S. collection.
LifeStyles is another major condom brand, although its current U.S. lineup is primarily natural-rubber latex rather than the non-latex selection described in some older condom articles.
So don't assume that every condom from a particular brand is made from the same material.
Read the box.
Your Condom Options Are Bigger Than You Think
Condoms aren't just condoms.
You can choose between latex, polyisoprene, polyurethane, nitrile, natural membrane, internal condoms, flavored condoms, ultra-thin condoms, textured condoms, different sizes, different shapes, and different levels of lubrication.
And if the reason you've been avoiding condoms is latex irritation, smell, thickness, or reduced sensation, that doesn't necessarily mean condoms aren't for you.
You may simply need a different material.
The goal isn't to find the condom everyone else uses.
It's to find the barrier that works for your body, your partner, your sexual activity, and the level of protection you're looking for.
Because safer sex shouldn't have to mean sacrificing pleasure.
Until next time,
The Vagina Liberator
FAQS: Condoms
Q: What are condoms made of?
A: Condoms can be made from natural rubber latex, synthetic materials such as polyisoprene and polyurethane, nitrile, or natural membrane.
Q: Which condom material transfers heat the best?
A: Polyurethane generally conducts body heat better than latex and polyisoprene, which can contribute to a more natural-feeling experience.
Q: Are non-latex condoms effective?
A: Yes. Polyurethane and polyisoprene condoms can provide pregnancy and STI/HIV protection when used correctly. Natural membrane or lambskin condoms are different because they should not be used for HIV or STI prevention.
Q: What brands make non-latex condoms?
A: Trojan, SKYN, and Durex currently offer non-latex condom options in the U.S.
Q: Are Magnum condoms latex?
A: Yes. Trojan states that its Magnum condoms are made from natural rubber latex.
Q: Do condoms protect against every STI?
A: No. Condoms reduce the risk of HIV and many STIs, particularly those spread through genital fluids, but they provide less protection against infections transmitted through uncovered skin, such as herpes, HPV, and syphilis.
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