Are Large-Size Condoms Really Necessary?

How big should a guy exist to habiliment or really fit into a Magnum prophylactic? Do normal ones really inhibit their pleasure that much?

I believe that condoms in different sizes and shapes are absolutely necessary to men'south comfort and pleasance, and I think we do a disservice to men when we pretend that they're not.

In sexual activity ed programs for teens, information technology's very mutual for instructors to tell participants that men volition try to make excuses for non using condoms past saying that their penises are too large and that condoms don't fit. The instructors then inform participants that this is non truthful, that condoms fit everyone, and proceed to demonstrate this concept past stretching a condom to fit over their forearm or head.

While stretching a condom to fit over your head is a great political party trick, this particular sexual activity ed meme assumes that men are lying assholes who aren't interested in safer sex activity and refuses to address the very real problem of condoms that don't fit well.

I teach that condoms are similar shoes. Different brands of shoes fit differently; some people notice Antipodal comfy, while others like Nike. It'south important to experiment with different brands, styles and sizes of condoms to find ane that works for each individual. To this stop, when I put together safer sex kits for the college students I work with, I try to include a variety of unlike types in the kits, and at the Tool Shed our condoms are sold individually in a "condom bar" that allows you to mix and match dissimilar kinds and observe what you like.

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For guys who prefer larger condoms, sometimes the trouble is that the caput of the condom they've been using feels as well constrictive. This problem might be solved past condoms like the ONE Pleasure Plus, which has extra room at the tip. For other men, the problem might be that the base of the condom feels likewise tight, in which case a larger-diameter condom might help. Glyde condoms (which are as well vegan, past the manner—almost latex contains a milk protein) come in three different widths that are labeled by diameter (49 millimeters, 53 millimeters and 56 millimeters).

Speaking of which, some men will observe smaller-bore condoms more comfortable. At the Tool Shed, customers regularly ask for snugger-fitting condoms and sometimes written report that condoms slip off during sex activity. If that'south an issue, a make I recommend in add-on to Glyde is Beyond Seven, which is on the slimmer side.

If yous have a male partner who says that condoms are uncomfortable, I recommend trying a few different brands and styles to encounter if yous tin can notice i that suits you both. If Magnums are his favorite make, slap-up! Whatsoever works. Size isn't the most important matter here, but comfort is.

Laura Anne Stuart has a chief's degree in public health and has worked every bit a sexuality educator for more than a decade. She owns the Tool Shed , an erotic boutique on Milwaukee'due south East Side. During her time off to focus on Tool Shed, the Shepherd Express will be running the best of her advice columns from previous years.