All About Lambskin Condoms

Lambskin condoms (also known as natural condoms) are a type of male condom. They are made from the intestinal membrane of a lamb, so these condoms are truly a natural animal product. Lambskin condoms are the oldest type of all condoms. There are records of men using lambskin condoms during the early part of the Roman Empire.

Learn why many men today still use and prefer them.

Natural lambskin condoms are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an effective means of preventing pregnancy. Lambskin condoms are just as effective for contraception as other types of condoms and are used the same way. With perfect use, lambskin condoms are 98 percent effective, and they are 82 percent effective with typical use.

This means that, with perfect use, for every 100 women whose partners use lambskin condoms for one year, two will become pregnant and 18 with typical use. Even though lambskin condoms have tiny pores, they are too small for sperm to pass through. Like all condoms, they keep sperm where it should be, inside of the condom.

While they are less popular and available in the United States, there are benefits of using lambskin condoms:

• Lambskin condoms seem to have a more natural feel (even more so than polyurethane and polyisoprene condoms). This leads to a different type of sensitivity—described as a very intimate sensation.
• Many men say they cannot even feel them on, so lambskin condoms are the closest thing to not wearing any condom at all.
• Compared to other condoms types, Naturalamb condoms are super thin and are reported to have the best feel and allow for the most pleasure.
• Lambskin condoms transmit body heat better than latex condoms, and this adds an even greater sensation during sexual intercourse.
• Trojan Naturalamb condoms are the largest condoms available. They are made with a cling-tight drawstring at the base of the condom for added safety. These lambskin condoms are 2.7 inches (68 millimeters) wide and 7.9 inches (200 millimeters) long.
• These condoms are a great option if you or your partner is allergic to latex. They also are reported to cause less irritation.
• Unlike other condoms that can only be used with water-based or silicone-based lubricants, lambskin condoms can also be used with oil-based lubricants (like Vaseline and baby/massage oil).
• Lambskin condoms are biodegradable. This is a benefit if you are environmentally-sensitive.

Despite these advantages and perceptions, there are a number of reasons why a lambskin condom may not be right for you:

• Lambskin condoms tend to be the most expensive condom to buy. This is most likely because they are made from an animal product, so lambskin condoms cannot be mass produced in the same way that latex condoms are.
• Natural lambskin condoms are not as stretchy as latex condoms.
• Because lambskin condoms do not offer you protection from STDs or HIV, it is probably a good idea to only use these condoms if you are in a committed relationship and know that your partner does not have any of these infections.
• Some men say that lambskin condoms do not have a very "attractive" look and are odd-looking as compared to other condoms.
• Some people do not like how they smell.