Does Condom Size Matter?

Follow Drugslib on

Getting your condom to feel right can be tricky. If it’s not comfortable, it can cause you to stop wearing them, and that can lead to the problems a condom is designed to help prevent, like unintended pregnancy or an STD.

Shopping for condoms can be daunting. There are many brands available, each brand has many different styles, and there are many different sizes.

Condoms, most often made of latex but sometimes made from polyurethane or other materials, are classified as a medical device, so they have to meet standards regulated by groups like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

The ISO, for example, puts condoms through "air burst" and "electrical" tests to make sure condoms are free from holes and don't break. The ISO also mandates a thickness standard and sets requirements for the shelf life of condoms.

Still, the most reported problem with condoms is their fit. Up to 50% of men believe the condoms they use don’t fit.

One recent survey asked men to give their complaints about the fit of their condoms. Nearly a third of them said their condom was too tight. Others said they were too long, too short, or too loose.

Slippage and breakage -- also things related to size -- were also main concerns, though research says each happens less than 10% of the time.

Men have reported other problems, too. Some say sex just doesn’t feel as good when they wear one. Others complain of irritation, trouble maintaining erections, or that their condoms dry out during sex.

The average penis size is somewhere between 5 and 7 inches long and 3.5 to 6 inches in circumference, though penis size does vary.

As far as condom sizes, both the ISO and the ASTM set the minimum length for a condom at about 6.3 inches. Most are about 7 inches, and many have extra space in a "reservoir" tip to catch semen. If your condom doesn't have one, the CDC recommends pinching a half-inch of the tip of the condom to serve that purpose.

That said, some manufacturers offer condoms in many sizes. So to make sure you get the proper fit and feel, you may want to take a measurement. If you do, most experts suggest doing it while your penis is erect, from the top side.

Experts say most condoms will work well for most men. But if you think yours doesn’t feel right, you’re less likely to use one. So experimentation is encouraged.

But don’t overthink it.

Posted : 2024-08-26 09:03

Read more

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords