Men and women who say they are allergic to latex condoms have run out of excuses.
This comes with the launch by Durex of the first ever non-latex condom - Avanti.
Made from a polyurethane material, which is odourless and double the strength of latex, Avanti condoms are much thinner, and its creators claim they "give the most natural feeling during sex while still providing all the protection needed".
Avanti condoms come in packs of "two extra-fine condoms" which are transparent and have reservoir tips, retailing for R36.
According to Jo Giles, media spokesperson for Durex SA, Avanti condoms allow for the transfer of body heat and can be used with both water-based and oil-based lubricants.
"They are ideal for those people who have an allergy or are sensitive to natural latex."
"The condom will also appeal to people who don't like the thickness or feel of latex and are looking for an extra-fine condom.
"Our research has confirmed that there will be a huge demand for a condom like this in South Africa."
Giles added that for more than 50 years Durex had represented safe sex and quality condoms, but with the continuing trend of sexual enlightenment and liberation, the company was committed to developing new products to inspire people to enjoy a better and healthier sex life.
She said that like all of Durex's condoms, the Avantis are electronically tested to ensure their integrity.
"Condoms from each batch undergo rigorous quality tests, including air burst volume and pressure tests, tensile tests and water-leaking testing.
"About two million water tests are carried out monthly," she said.
Giles said the condoms were first marketed in Britain and the US, and proved to be a great success.
According to the condom website www.undercovercondoms.com Durex Avanti condoms have a number of benefits:
- Increased sensitivity, yet they help protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/Aids;
- User studies show that the condoms are perceived to be more natural and comfortable;
- They are odourless;
- They are more thermally conductive than latex, for a more natural feeling; and
- They don't contain latex and therefore can be used by the relatively small percentage of the population sensitive to natural rubber latex.
Durex makes and sells more than 950 million condoms each year - that's 2,6 million every day, or 30 every second.