While they do help to prevent pregnancy, lambskin condoms don’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They’re made from the outside lining of the sheep’s cecum.
They feel more like skin than latex and work well with water-based lubricants. They are also biodegradable and free of the plant proteins that trigger latex allergies.
Natural Membrane
Lambskin condoms, also known as natural membrane or sheep skin condoms, are a type of latex-free male condom that is made from an animal’s skin. These condoms are often marketed as being more natural and have a more intimate feel than standard latex, plastic, and rubber condoms. They are available from a number of brands, including Trojan and SKYN.
While these types of condoms have been around for millennia, they’ve begun to fall out of favor since the invention of latex condoms in the 1920s. Though they’re capable of preventing pregnancy (up to 98% effective when used correctly), they don’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and hepatitis B and C. That’s because the condom pores that allow sperm to pass through are too large to keep out viruses and bacteria that cause STDs.
However, if you have a mild latex allergy and are interested in a more natural feeling condom, these may be a good option for you. SKYN’s Naturalamb condoms, for example, have a reservoir tip and are pre-lubricated. This allows you to use them as normal, but without worrying about the uncomfortable itchiness that can come with a latex allergy. The lubrication also helps prevent the friction and burning that sometimes comes with wearing latex condoms. They’re also available in different lengths and girths to help ensure you get the best fit.
SKYN Condoms
Some men prefer the feel of lambskin condoms during sex. Though they may be a little more difficult to slip on than latex condoms, many say that they offer a more natural sensation and that they transmit body heat better than synthetic materials like polyurethane. Others report that they have a less unpleasant smell and taste than synthetic varieties.
One of the main reasons that lambskin condoms lost popularity in recent years is that they don’t protect against STIs. The pores that allow them to transmit body heat are too large to block sperm, making them a good choice for pregnancy protection but not for protecting against STIs.
While you can still buy lambskin condoms today, there is only one brand in production – Trojan’s NaturaLamb. These condoms are pre-lubricated outside and slightly inside with a jelly-like lubricant that is more viscous than latex, so you may want to use extra lube when using them.
Though they don’t protect against STIs, lambskin condoms are an effective barrier method for pregnancy prevention and have a low breakage rate. They also have a more luxurious feel than latex condoms and are often described as being more pleasurable for both partners. If you have a latex allergy, however, you can still find a variety of other types of condoms that are safe for you to use to prevent STDs and unintended pregnancy, including non-latex rubber and plastic varieties.
NaturaLamb Condoms
Despite the name, these condoms aren’t made from the actual skin of a lamb. Instead, they’re made from a thin layer of the lamb’s cecum — a pouch at the beginning of the animal’s large intestine. The material is braided to keep out sperm during sex, which makes these condoms 98% effective at preventing pregnancy if used correctly. And that’s why men have been using them for millennia, including in the great cultural bastion of perversion known as Rome.
Today, there’s only one brand that manufactures lambskin condoms. Called the Naturalamb by Trojan, they are a luxurious alternative to latex and synthetic condoms. These pre-lubricated condoms come with a jelly-like lubricant inside that’s formulated to feel like your own skin during sex.
These condoms are non-allergenic, so they’re ideal for people with latex allergies. However, they’re less effective in preventing STIs, such as HIV and herpes, because the natural membrane has larger pores than latex or synthetic condoms do.
Lambskin condoms also have a shorter shelf life than latex or synthetic alternatives. Plus, they’re not vegan-friendly, which means they’re not a good fit for anyone who’s allergic to any type of animal product. But if you can get past the oddball nature of these condoms, you’ll find that they’re a comfortable and effective way to prevent pregnancy and STDs during sex.
Trojan Condoms
When it comes to practicing safe sex, condoms are your best bet for protecting yourself from unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They’re available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and textures, so you can find the one that’s right for you. But if you’re allergic to latex–which, according to the FDA, affects 4.3% of the world’s population–your options become a bit more limited.
Fortunately, there are a few types of non-latex condoms out there to help you avoid the pain of latex allergies. Among the most popular are lambskin condoms. Made from the outside lining of the lamb cecum, these condoms are said to provide a more natural and intimate feel than latex ones do.
While lambskin condoms aren’t a substitute for a reliable form of birth control, they do offer an alternative to those with latex allergies. They aren’t a substitute for STI protection, either, as they don’t prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses that can lead to HIV or other STIs.
The good news is, if you’re not concerned about STDs and only want pregnancy protection, you can use other kinds of non-latex condoms, such as polyurethane or polyisoprene. These thin plastic condoms have the same lubrication as latex condoms, but they don’t fit as tightly. They’re also odourless and colourless. In fact, some people say they forget that they’re even wearing them.
