Editing Condom (section)

==== Synthetic ====
The most common non-latex condoms are made from [[polyurethane]]. Condoms may also be made from other synthetic materials, such as [[AT-10 resin]], and most [[polyisoprene]].<ref name="isoprenepr">{{cite press release |title=Lifestyles Condoms Introduces Polyisoprene Non-latex |publisher=HealthNewsDigest.com |date=31 July 2008 |url=http://healthnewsdigest.com/news/New_Product_460/Lifestyles_Condoms_printer.shtml |access-date=24 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080823054656/http://healthnewsdigest.com/news/New_Product_460/Lifestyles_Condoms_printer.shtml |archive-date=23 August 2008}}</ref>

Polyurethane condoms tend to be the same width and thickness as latex condoms, with most polyurethane condoms between 0.04&nbsp;mm and 0.07&nbsp;mm thick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Condoms |work=Condom Statistics and Sizes |date=12 March 2008 |url=http://blog.condomman.com/articles/condom-use/all-you-need-to-know-on-condom-statistics-and-sizes/ |access-date=31 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525205018/http://blog.condomman.com/articles/condom-use/all-you-need-to-know-on-condom-statistics-and-sizes/ |archive-date=25 May 2013}}</ref>

Polyurethane can be considered better than latex in several ways: it conducts heat better than latex, is not as sensitive to temperature and ultraviolet light (and so has less rigid storage requirements and a longer shelf life), can be used with oil-based [[Personal lubricant|lubricants]], is less allergenic than latex, and does not have an odor.<ref name="nonlatex">{{cite journal |title=Nonlatex vs Latex Condoms: An Update |journal=The Contraception Report |volume=14 |issue=2 |date=September 2003 |url=http://www.contraceptiononline.org/contrareport/article01.cfm?art=243 |access-date=14 August 2006 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20060926035226/http://www.contraceptiononline.org/contrareport/article01.cfm?art=243 |archive-date = 26 September 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Polyurethane condoms have gained FDA approval for sale in the United States as an effective method of contraception and HIV prevention, and under laboratory conditions have been shown to be just as effective as latex for these purposes.<ref name="AlicePolyLatex">{{cite web |title=Are polyurethane condoms as effective as latex ones? |publisher=Columbia University |date=22 February 2005 |url=http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1842.html |access-date=25 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070530000038/http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1842.html |archive-date=30 May 2007}}</ref>

However, polyurethane condoms are less elastic than latex ones, and may be more likely to slip or break than latex,<ref name="nonlatex" /><ref name="AlicePoly">{{cite web |title=Prefers polyurethane protection |publisher=Columbia University |date=4 March 2005 |url=http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1203.html |access-date=25 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609115429/http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1203.html |archive-date=9 June 2007}}</ref> lose their shape or bunch up more than latex,<ref name="PPAA">{{cite news |title=Allergic to Latex? You Can Still Have Safer Sex |url=http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2012/05/02/allergic-to-latex-you-can-still-have-safer-sex |access-date=2 May 2012 |publisher=Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona |date=2 May 2012 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910032846/http://blog.advocatesaz.org/2012/05/02/allergic-to-latex-you-can-still-have-safer-sex/|archive-date=10 September 2012}}</ref> and are more expensive.

Polyisoprene is a synthetic version of natural rubber latex. While significantly more expensive,<ref name="isopreneglove">{{cite web |title=Polyisoprene Surgical Gloves |publisher=SurgicalGlove.net |year=2008 |url=http://www.surgicalglove.net/polyisoprene.html | access-date = 24 August 2008 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080918193917/http://www.surgicalglove.net/polyisoprene.html | archive-date = 18 September 2008}}</ref> it has the advantages of latex (such as being softer and more elastic than polyurethane condoms)<ref name="isoprenepr" /> without the protein which is responsible for latex allergies.<ref name="isopreneglove" /> Unlike polyurethane condoms, they cannot be used with an oil-based lubricant.<ref name="PPAA" />