Condom Materials

When it comes to having sex, protection is everything. With the issues of sexual transmitted diseases and pregnancy, ensuring that you are protected is imperative in order to protect your health and the health of your partner. Just as you should take care to ensure that your partner is the right partner for you, the same care should be taken when thinking about what type of contraception is best for you. There are many different types of contraception which you can use as a method of birth control such as the pill and the many different forms of this such as the injection and implant. Other methods such as the coil and diaphragms also known as ‘the cap’, can also aid in protecting against the female becoming pregnant, but none of these methods offer protection against sexual transmitted diseases and HIV. In order to ensure both yourself and your partner are protected, you should ensure that you wear a condom every time you partake in sexual intercourse. Condoms are produced in a variety of different materials, all of which have different pros and cons depending on the individual.

Latex condoms are the more commonly used variety mainly due to the materials durability. The nature of latex allows the condom to be stretched to an excess of up to 80% before breaking, meaning that it provides the wearer with added reassurance that it’s less likely to break. Most latex condoms are manufactured with lubricants added, including spermicide lubricants which provide the individual with a more comfortable wear, and also less chance of pregnancy occurring. However, the material cannot be used with added lubricants which are oil based, such as petroleum jelly as these can cause the condom to slip off during intercourse or break. Some individuals may find they are allergic to latex, which can then create the need to use condoms made from a different material. Due to this, there have recently been some developments in latex condoms, which have resulted in Vytex latex condoms being produced which are treated to remove 90% of the proteins within latex which causes the allergic reaction.

Synthetic condoms are primarily made from polyurethane. These are manufactured to be the same width and thickness of latex condoms, offering the same feel and performance but with a much softer feel to them. It is seen as being a better material than latex as it is not sensitive to temperature which in terms of latex condoms can cause them to expire earlier than their stated date. Synthetic condoms can also be used with oil-based lubricants, making them more versatile than latex condoms without the worry of them breaking. They also have no odour and are less likely to cause any allergic reactions to the individual, which is why they have become so popular with many. However, the disadvantage of synthetic condoms are that they are less elastic than latex condoms, meaning they are not able to be manipulated as much, which can cause them to break slightly easier. They are also generally more expensive than latex condoms.

Lambskin condoms are a less popular choice of material due to the nature of the material being less reliable than latex and polyurethane condoms. As they are made from sheep intestines, the material has natural pores within it which can allow for STIs to be easily passed on to your partner and vice versa. They are known to provide the wearer with more sensation and with less chance of an allergic reaction, but are best used for those who are in long term relationships, and also combined with the pill to increase the amount of protection you have.

Condoms can be found not only in a variety of materials, but also in a variety of types and textures. These can be produced as a means to offer different sensations for both individuals, whilst also providing different sensations for the male, depending on the thickness of the condom. Whichever type of condom you choose is best for you, ensure that you read the instructions provided to make sure you have applied it correctly and both you and your partner are protected. Sex is something which is done as a form of recreation for many, but this should not mean that safety should be forgotten. Respect yourself and respect your partner - wear a condom.