Ill-Fitting Condoms

So I’ve gained about 10 pounds and have kept them on since having two kids. Okay, I lie. It is more like 13 pounds. Luckily, after having my second child, I was able to fit into most of my pre-baby clothes. Emphasis on “most.” There are a few pairs of pants and jeans in there that are just a tad too tight for comfort. Have I worn them out before under baggy shirts in a futile effort to lie to myself about my weight gain? Yes. Did they leave huge indentions on my belly from the waistband being too tight? Absolutely. Were there moments when I felt completely uncomfortable and out of breath from sucking in a large part of the evening? Yup. Have they threatened to bust at the seams in an avalanche of jean fabric confetti? Oh, heavens, yes. Is this an obvious segue into something perhaps condom-related? Yes, and here it is. A recent study has shown that, like my pants, condoms that do not fit properly have a higher tendency of busting at inopportune times. In addition, an improper fit could reduce the pleasure a couple feels during sexual activity.

Close to 450 male participants between the ages of 18 and 67 took part in the study and were all approached through a condom blog and various newspaper ads. Participants were asked to submit a questionnaire that was posted on the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction website. They were asked specifically on their condom usage during their most recent sexual act with a woman. Approximately 45% of the participants admitted to using an ill-fitting condom during sexual acts in the last three months.

Of these participants who reported using the improperly sized condom, they were almost 3 times likely to have an episode where the condom slipped or broke. In addition, they were five times more likely to have incidences of irritation of the penis. Those who had the wrong size condom also stated that reaching orgasm was made more difficult and that both they and their female partners reported having less pleasure.

As if this weren’t enough, these participants also admitted that the wrong sized condom also made it difficult for them to maintain an erection. Because of all these negative side effects, many of the participants said they did not keep the condom on for the entire sexual act. The researchers feel that their study emphasizes “the point that men and their female sex partners may benefit from public health efforts designed to promote the improved fit of condoms.” The co-author of the study, Dr. Bill Yarber, warns that if people keep experiencing these types of problems, they may avoid using condoms altogether. He also warned condom manufacturers that men would not be apt to purchase condoms if they were said to be “small” or “extra small.”