Does size really matter? For condoms, yes!
Condoms are the most widely
used method of contraception and, as the seeming guardian of safe sex, its usage
is akin to leaving your home with clean underwear in some cases. However, using
it is one thing but does the size of the condom matter?
Because of stigma, some manufacturers
do not want to necessarily label a condom ‘small’ because it might not make it
off the shelves. They have to contend with the egos of men who would not be caught
dead in a pharmacy or gas station buying something with ‘small’ on the package.
They get around this with the inevitable ‘one size fits all’ labelling but this
is not true. You may even say it’s false advertising.
To answer the question, yes,
the size does matter. What is the use of fitting something the size of a baby
carrot into something meant for a full-sized cucumber? It is not only stupid
but in wearing a product that is ill-fitting, it defeats its primary purpose of
providing protection. If it slips off during sex, then you may be required to
get a ‘morning after’ pill which can be expensive and comes with side effects.
Condom size is not only
dependent on the length and girth of the phallus but also height, weight and
body shape of the man which we know differs from person to person. The right
size condom not only enhances the sexual act but also prevents discomfort and greatly
reduces the possibility of breakage. If a man struggle to fit on a condom,
performance anxiety can increase and he can lose his erection which is not
cool.
Up to 20 per cent of condom failure is due to
incorrect sizing, according to the findings of a study conducted by the Indian
Council of Medical Research. Another
international research body Lucky Bloke which polled 3,500 respondents from 28
nations found that 35 per cent of men actually needed a smaller than average
condom size while 15 per cent needed a ‘large’. This is actually in keeping
with the global male population where penis sizes run the gamut.
So, how will a guy know which size fits
him? Much of it is trial and trial. He will have to try them on for size –
literally. After measuring his erect member, he should try on different brands
and sizes until he finds one that is snug but not tight. Nowadays, manufacturers
produce condoms with a wide array of offerings so men can find some fun in experimenting.