The Need For Non-Lubricated Non-Latex Condoms – Makes sense that there would be a non-lubricated, non-latex condom option, right? Wrong, there isn’t. We get this question a lot more often than you’d think, and the thing is no one currently makes a non-lubricated, non-latex condom. Why? Well, it’s probably just an issue of ignorance and low demand.
Up until recently, those who had latex allergies had very few options. While latex was invented in the 1920s, polyurethane, the alternative to lambskin which doesn’t protect against STDs, wasn’t around into the 1990s– 70 years later! So, if you had a reaction when touching latex, if you found that your only other option was lambskin which didn’t protect against STDs and were more expensive… how likely were you to go out and buy condoms?
The other problem was ignorance. Polyurethane condoms, like Trojan’s BareSkin Supra, are rarely mentioned in sex-ed class. But there are other options– like natural membrane condoms, like Trojan’s NaturaLamb were the only thing ever mentioned. This led many to believe that polyurethane condoms were a new invention– but no, they’ve been around since the 1980’s (polyisoprene condoms like Lifestyles SKYN, on the other hand, are much more recent).
But, in recent years, the non-latex condom market has slowly been growing. Not only for people with allergies but for people who want something that’s more biologically safe for the environment (only lambskin condoms are biodegradable), something that feels softer, and something that doesn’t smell like a tire shop.
Non Lubricated, Non-Latex Alternatives
If you’re stuck in this icky situation, an alternative to consider for vaginal and anal sex is the FC2– also known as the female condom. Don’t be fooled by its name. It can be used by either gender for penetrative sex. It is FDA approved for vaginal sex only but has been off label used as an anal sex barrier.
The FC2 does come with a silicone-lube. However, that lube can be washed off and wiped away without ruining the integrity of the condom. Because it’s so difficult to put on a male condom when it’s unrolled, the FC2 has to be unrolled anyway to be inserted, so unrolling it and washing it isn’t a problem. It isn’t a perfect fix, but it’ll do until there’s something better out there.
For oral on someone with a vulva, consider using either saran wrap (the non-microwaveable kind!) or a nitrile glove (not PVC). For the glove, simply cut the thumb off and then lay it over the vulva like a dental dam, like these by Lixx. You may have to hold it in place, but it should provide the same protection as a dental dam and stay just as safe. If you know of a flavored lube that you’re not allergic to, you can also use it safely with either the nitrile glove or saran wrap.
For oral on someone with a penis, they currently don’t make flavored non-latex condoms and some condoms have lubricant on the inside as well as the outside. You can try wrapping the penis in non-microwavable saran wrap or using a nitrile glove, but there may be a problem ensure that it’s been wrapped all the way around and isn’t shifting. You may have to hold it in place. To be completely transparent, this is NOT FDA approved by any stretch and is absolutely not preferred.
To a person with allergies, having completely allergen-free condoms seems like a no-brainer. We have non-lubricated condoms. We have non-latex condoms. So why aren’t we combining them?