The problem with getting dudes to wear rubbers doesn’t have to do with a lack of education, or lack of availability, or cost, or any such factor public health officials would surmise. Rather, condoms are not fitting on dicks properly. And if a guy can’t get a condom to sit nicely on his erect member, he’s going to take it off. Or, perhaps worse, stop trying to put them on at all.
“Men are twice as likely to take the condom off midway through sex due to a poor fit, a poll of 436 men in Sexually Transmitted Infections journal reveals,” relays the BBC. “Ill-fitting condoms more than doubled the chances of them splitting or slipping off, a Kentucky team found. UK experts said men should know condoms came in different shapes and sizes. Condom use is increasing in popularity, now rivalling the Pill as a form of contraception, according to a recent poll. However, there are concerns that couples may turn away from them if they fail to fit comfortably and correctly, and risk unsafe sex instead. The latest study fuels these concerns. Out of 436 men questioned by the University of Kentucky researchers, 195 reported that their last sexual encounter involved an ill-fitting condom. Standard latex condoms should fit most people but there are many different types of condoms available in different shapes and sizes and trying different types will be important in finding the ‘right one’. A total of 120 of these said that this had reduced their own sexual pleasure, and 57 said it had reduced it for their partner. In addition, 34 said they had removed the condom early, while 18 said the condom had broken during sex. All of these problems were far less frequent among men who reported a well-fitted condom.”
So what can be done? The first step is to produce a better range of condoms for men. But condom manufactures will tell you they already offer a huge variety. This is true, but condom size is one of the least stocked variables. Instead, we get condoms with adjectives like thin, ribbed, studded, flavored, and lubricated. What about condoms for penises that curve down? Swing to the right? Bend in the middle?
Maybe that’s asking a bit too much — latex is malleable enough to slide over most nooks and cock crannies, and costs grow as you manufacture condoms for smaller and smaller groups of consumers. But the other real issue here is that men don’t like to talk about, let alone shop for their penises that might not be porn star perfect.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Guys with smaller penises don’t want to approach the Duane Reade counter with condom package that reads “junior.” Guys with curiously shaped penises don’t want to break out a box of “geometric puzzle” Trojans as they prepare to mount a one night stand.
And far too many men we’ve known, and slept with, buy extra-large condoms WHEN THEY DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THEM.
So really, it’s their fault.
ML
I highly doubt that condom fit plays much of a role in the seemingly growing numbers of gay men into barebacking.
TR
why the heck aren’t all condoms “ergonomic” meaning…actually realizing that a penis is not a perfect cylinder. they have condoms that account for the actual shape of a penis…they don’t pinch… however, they’re much more expensive.
strangled dick
I never thought of myself as having a large enough penis to warrant a large condom, but i eventually discovered that the reason i could never cum when using a condom was because it was too tight. just imagine being a 22 year old who can come 10 times a day when alone, but not during sex, because of the condom. it was frustrating as hell. it should be clearer that ‘extra large’ condoms aren’t just for porn stars and black guys.
Sassmouth
What the fuck are pensies?
BioGal
This is such an important issue – it is unbelievable that for researchers ‘sensation’ is the least considered determinant of condom-use choice. There are plenty of locations to take free condoms. Lack of use is complex. You want to use a jonny – then you or your partner must have a disease – a lack of trust, a fear of ‘excess’ partner history. You want to connect with someone, yet there is a barrier to this with a condom. You want the act to feel natural, but you have to use equipment to prevent unwanted consequences. Condom use is not based on availability, price, or education. It is about the prophalactic feeling like an artifice and us not having the tools or language to talk about these problems, which prevents manufacturers heeding our preferences.
beergoggles
Another issue rarely addressed is that some condoms get under the foreskin and pinch if ur uncircumcised. If it’s too lose the foreskin doesn’t stay back and covers the sensitive area and reduces sensation, basically giving u whiskey-dick.. they really need to male spray on condoms like the sprayon bandaids now available. It would solve a lot of issues for uncircumcised guys.
Lance
This is an important issue. I admit to have a smaller than average penis. My pharmacist gets a brand of Japanese condom in for me, and I find it to be a much better fit.
fredo777
@Sassmouth: lol they’re cute, miniature penises.
Jack
Good call. I run into the issue where xtra large condoms are too long, but regular condoms aren’t wide enough. They pinch and restrict blood flow, which leads to a soft dick, which is embarassing. So I get the large kind and always get shit from partners that think I’m being cocky or something.
Trelin
@Lance It’s nice that you’re honest about it. Most guys that I’ve met make it seem like they’re so well endowed, and it’s like a mini pretzel stick when it comes to life. I like guys that are man enough to shop for the perfect condom and know what they like and that will pleasure both people. Who cares about your size…a more honest size penis works just as fine, and doesn’t hurt so much either…
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
Pansies or Penises, Queerty (text-messaging dyslexia?)
Over 50 percent of straights don’t use condoms.
Barebacking is a code-word for being HIV-positive.
Inhibitors of sexual stamina while wearing a condom include:
Too much alcohol
Nervousness
Self-esteem
Circumcision
Incompatibility
This may help:
Marijuana
Eating light
Using Ultra thin condoms (with Pur brand lube)
Doggie Position (for starters!)
Let the Top lead (you Power Bottoms!)
Express your enjoyment!
Okay, I live in the same building as Dr Ruth Westheimer!!!
hyhybt
And far too many men we’ve known, and slept with, buy extra-large condoms WHEN THEY DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THEM.
Wouldn’t it make more sense to buy them a size too *small*, so it makes their contents seem oversized?
terrwill
@Lance: You may think you are small but you got huge balls for stating that!! : P
And whats funny ’bout your statement is that I like the Asian brand of peen, and while the stereotype about chinese guys tends to be true, Japanese guys tend to be kinda huge………..
Fitz
I just plain don’t like sex with condoms. It’s more psychological than physiological. It doesn’t feel connected to me. I am fine with skipping anal intercourse and doing other fun stuff if either of us isn’t sure of our status. In fact, I have had some wonderful times like that. I don’t want to risk infection, and i don’t want to risk boring sex. For me, a condom is a contradiction: sex is about connection. A condom says “I want to be intimate”… AND.. “I don’t trust you”.
Dionte
If it doesn’t fit don’t have sex.
Brian
There does need to be more options. I’m quite large in terms of length but just slightly above average girth. A regular size condom stretches and hurts if I stick it all in. However a Magnum would be baggy as I don’t have the width for it.
damon459
I’ve found and the receptive partner that condoms hurt maybe it’s increased friction? I try using more and more lube but it still ends up painful rather quickly which means my days of being a bottom hooking up are more or less over maybe condoms should be designed with the bottom in mind to rather then just the cock being wrapped.
willy
Terrwill you’re an idiot. And Strangled Dick, call me.
biguy
for me regular size condoms are fine in length but not too small in girth, i get the magnums and just don’t roll them down all the way. 100% better feeling than normal ones.
biguy
but too small in girth duh.