It’s simpler than you may think. If you or your partner really dislike condoms, it’s likely that finding the right condom size will dramatically improve your sex life. While the concept of correct condom size is rarely taught in schools, it is the most critical factor to both increasing your safety — and your pleasure with condoms.
Just as you wouldn’t wear the wrong size shoe and just as you may fully understand the subtlety of a perfect fitting bra, a well-fitting condom will take your (and your partner’s) mind off of the condom and on to giving and receiving pleasure.
How to figure out what condom size your partner needs. First, you need to know that condoms are available in three basic sizes. If you have ever had a partner where the condom slipped around, or even came off inside of you (and yes, that does happen) — that partner probably should switch to using a smaller than standard condom.
While there is a lot of stigma around smaller penis size, I’d like to clarify that ongoing international research by Lucky Bloke of over 3,500 participants in 28 countries indicates that 35% of men require a smaller than “average” condom. (And by “average,” I only mean what is most available in conventional retail stores.) Thirty-five percent is a rather large “minority,” don’t you think?
Especially when you recognize that on the other end of the penis size spectrum, also according to Lucky Bloke’s survey, only 15% of men actually require a larger than standard condom. If your partner has a history of broken condoms and serious discomfort when it comes to wearing condoms, he has likely been wearing condoms that are too small for him.
If only more men understood that one out of three men likely requires a small condom, and about one out of seven men require a larger condom, we might begin to witness a critical shift in male body image insecurities. (You’ll find this topic is well-covered in “Smaller Package, Better Lover?”)
Now, let’s get back to our previous footwear and bra analogies. Once you have a general idea on what condom size you need to buy, there are subtleties to pay attention to. Just as one shoe rubs your heel and some bras, even in your correct size, are more comfortable than others, condom quality is often the next step in ensuring better sex with condoms. As in so many things, with condoms, you get what you pay for. Free condoms are generally lackluster, and splurging an extra dollar or two will generally, greatly improve your pleasure. (Yes, we are only talking a few dollars separating you from mediocre to truly fantastic safer sex.)
My best advice (once you’ve determined the best size to use) to those committed to improving their sex with condoms is to get ready to explore a variety of condoms. Yes, your homework assignment is to have more sex. But before you think you need to run out and invest in procuring a plethora of condom boxes, I’d like to save you time and money with an important suggestion.
Premium condom samplers provide an inexpensive way to begin your detective work. You’ll get a great condom variety and not have to buy numerous boxes to find the condoms that work best for you and your partner. Another benefit? When you have a sampler and you find that one of the condoms isn’t so great, simply stop and switch to another.
Declare your days of suffering through mediocre condoms officially over.
