Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBirth Control EffectivenessSTI Prevention EffectivenessAdvantagesDisadvantagesOther Condom TypesCondom BrandsHow to Use
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Birth Control Effectiveness
STI Prevention Effectiveness
Advantages
Disadvantages
Other Condom Types
Condom Brands
How to Use
Lambskin condoms, sometimes also known as natural condoms or natural membrane condoms, are a type of external condom made from the intestines of lambs and sometimes sheep. While lambskincondomsare effective in preventing pregnancy, the natural intestinal membranes are porous and do not protect againstsexually transmitted infections (STIs).
As a non-hormonal form ofbirth control, lambskin condoms are equally effective as other condom types and a good choice for people who areallergic to latex condoms. On the other hand, they are also more expensive and are not suitable for people who are vegan or avoid wearing animal-derived products.
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Lambskin Condom Effectiveness in Preventing Pregnancy
Like latex condoms, lambskin condoms are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy if used correctly every time you have sex. This means that for every 100 people who use lambskin condoms for one year, two will become pregnant. With typical use, the condom’s effectiveness drops to 87%.
Even though lambskin condoms have tiny pores, they are too small for sperm to pass through. Like all external and internal condoms, they keep sperm inside of the condom.
Lambskin Condom Effectiveness in Preventing STIs
While effective in preventing pregnancy, lambskin condoms are not used for the prevention of STIs. This is because lamb and sheep intestines have tiny pores measuring roughly 1,500 nanometers (nm) in diameter. This is 10 times larger than the size ofHIVand 25 times larger than thehepatitis B virus (HBV).
While bacterial STIs likegonorrhea,chlamydia, andsyphilisare bigger than viral STIs like HIV, HBV, andherpes, they are still small enough to pass through the pores. Among the largest is the bacteria that causes syphilis,Treponema pallidum,which measures between 600 and 1,500 nm lengthwise and only 100 to 200 nm widthwise.
To this end, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against the use of lambskin condoms in people trying to avoid STIs or who are at increased risk of passing or getting an STI through sex.
Advantages of Lambskin Condoms
While they are less popular in the United States compared to other condom types, there are several key benefits to using lambskin condoms:
Disadvantages of Lambskin Condoms
Despite the advantages of lambskin condoms, there are several reasons why they may not be suitable for sex or for you as an individual:
Comparing Lambskin With Other Condom Types
In addition to the internal condom, sometimes known as a “female condom,” there are four main types of external condoms sold in the United States. Each has its benefits, risks, and limitations.
Lambskin Condom Brands
Lambskin condoms are not easy to find these days, even in major drug store chains, with increasing consumer preference for vegan- and animal-friendly products.
In the United States, lambskin condoms only account for a scant share of total condom sales, of which one brand dominates the market:Trojan Naturalamb Condoms.
Other major condom manufacturers, like Durex, stopped making lambskin condoms years ago and instead shifted to making “natural feel” non-latex condoms made of polyisoprene.
In 2023, latex condoms accounted for 88% of the total condom sales in the U.S., with all other non-latex condoms (lambskin, polyurethane, polyisoprene) accounting for the rest.
How to Use a Lambskin Condom
Lambskin condoms are used the same way as latex condoms, but instead of an elastic ring at the base, lambskin condoms have a drawstring to secure them. To use a lambskin condom:
After ejaculation:
Condoms should only be used one time.
Summary
Lambskin condoms are a type of external condom that protects against pregnancy. They are not effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections and should not be used for such.
Lambskin condoms, made of lamb or sheep intestines, tend to have a more natural feel than other condoms and are a good choice for those who have a latex allergy. However, they are more costly, harder to find, and have a shorter shelf life than latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene condoms.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
World Health Organization.Family planning - a global handbook for providers: 2018 edition.Yah CS, Simate GS, Hlangothi P, Somai BM.Nanotechnology and the future of condoms in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.Ann Afr Med.2018 Apr-Jun;17(2):49–57. doi:10.4103/aam.aam_32_17Radolf JD, Deke RK, Anand A, Smajs D, Norgard MV, Yang SF.Treponema pallidum, the syphilis spirochete: making a living as a stealth pathogen.Nat Rev Microbiol. 2016 Dec;14(12):744–759. doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2016.141Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021 Jul 23;70(4):1–187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Marfatia YS, Pandya I, Mehta K.Condoms: past, present, and future.Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2015;36(2):133–139. doi:10.4103/0253-7184.167135International Planned Parenthood Foundation.Myths and facts about… male condoms.National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.2. Patterns and drivers of STIs in the United States. In:Sexually Transmitted Infections: Adopting a Sexual Health Paradigm. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2021 Mar 24.Grandview Market Research.Condom market size & trends.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Contraception and birth control methods.
World Health Organization.Family planning - a global handbook for providers: 2018 edition.
Yah CS, Simate GS, Hlangothi P, Somai BM.Nanotechnology and the future of condoms in the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.Ann Afr Med.2018 Apr-Jun;17(2):49–57. doi:10.4103/aam.aam_32_17
Radolf JD, Deke RK, Anand A, Smajs D, Norgard MV, Yang SF.Treponema pallidum, the syphilis spirochete: making a living as a stealth pathogen.Nat Rev Microbiol. 2016 Dec;14(12):744–759. doi:10.1038/nrmicro.2016.141
Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021 Jul 23;70(4):1–187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1
Marfatia YS, Pandya I, Mehta K.Condoms: past, present, and future.Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2015;36(2):133–139. doi:10.4103/0253-7184.167135
International Planned Parenthood Foundation.Myths and facts about… male condoms.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.2. Patterns and drivers of STIs in the United States. In:Sexually Transmitted Infections: Adopting a Sexual Health Paradigm. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2021 Mar 24.
Grandview Market Research.Condom market size & trends.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Contraception and birth control methods.
Bradley SEK, Polis CB, Micks EA, Steiner MJ.Effectiveness, safety, and comparative side effects. In: Cason P, Cwiak C, Edelman A, et al, eds.Contraceptive Technology. 22nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2023:130–131.
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