One out of every ten American citizens has an allergy to latex condoms.

These allergies have caused condom manufacturers to produce different, often less effective, versions of their products, made out of  non-latex materials. Since they did not use latex, these condoms did not cause allergic reactions.

Polyurethane became one of the materials used in condom industry ( Trojan Supra Condoms). However, the polyurethane condoms posed another problem. Compared to latex, polyurethane allows very little stretching, and a polyurethane condom is more likely to fall off or break than a latex one. In addition, polyurethane condoms are known to make a loud, crinkling sound while they are being used. Basically, they aren’t as effective as latex condoms.

Fortunately, there is a new alternative for people who have latex allergies: new condoms are made from polyisoprene ( Lifestyles SKYN Condoms and Avanti Ultima Durex). Polyisoprene is a substance that does not include any latex, but is stretchier, softer, and more resistant to breakage than polyurethane condoms. At the same time, polyisoprene is just as effective as polyurethane when it comes to preventing STDs or unwanted pregnancies. Polyisoprene condoms have only recently been released, but show a lot of promise, since the comparisons of polyisoprene with polyurethane confirm that SKYN condoms are a major leap forward in condom technology.