Everyone knows wearing a condom is one of the best ways of protecting yourself against sexually transmitted diseases, as well as guarding against an unplanned pregnancy (outside of abstinence, and what fun is that?). Although schools in many countries teach the importance of using a condom, very few actually teach you how to select the right size condom.
A correctly-sized condom not only helps ensure
they give you the protection you want,
but can also enhance your sexual stimulation.
CONDOM SIZE CATEGORIES
Understanding that guys’ penis sizes vary over a range of sizes, in both length and girth, condom manufacturers typically have three size options available, to help you get the best fit. These three sizes are:
- Small (often known as “Snugger Fit”,
- Regular and
- Large (sometimes known as XL or Magnum-sized)
WHY YOU WANT TO CORRECTLY SIZE YOUR CONDOM
Like shoes, condoms come in a variety of sizes. This is for both functionality and comfort. You wouldn’t want to wear a pair of shoes so large they kept slipping off your heels. You also wouldn’t be comfortable wearing shoes that are two small and pinch your toes. The same is true of condoms.
Although you may feel like a stud slapping down a box of XL condoms in front of the cute cashier at the drugstore, if they’re too large it is possible for semen to leak out of the condom and other bodily fluids (with potential STD transfer) to get underneath the condom. A too-large condom may come completely off during intercourse, giving no protection whatsoever. A condom that is too loose may also diminish some of the sensation you feel during sex.
On the flip side, a condom that is too small can be just as ineffective. If the condom is too small, it has a higher chance of tearing during intercourse. Again, this will result in loss of protection from STDs and unplanned pregnancy. A condom that is too tight can also be uncomfortable, negatively affecting your pleasure.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CONDOM SIZE
The first rule of thumb when buying condoms is to not buy condoms larger than you need, just because you want people to think you have a big penis. According to one study of 3,500 men, from 28 countries, 35% of participants needed small sized condoms. That’s a pretty significant percentage.
The second rule when choosing a condom size is know your penis! It’s surprising how many guys really don’t accurately know their penis length or girth. Don’t guess – measure! Use a string and a ruler or a measuring tape to get an accurate number. And, definitely don’t let ego add an inch to this measurement.
Third, some manufacturers give their “width” measurements based on half of the girth of the penis. Please read the manufacturer’s sizing information carefully. In instances where half-girth/half-circumference is used:
Girth Measurement divided by 2 = Half-Circumference
NOTE: some condom manufacturers give width measurements. Therefore, you’ll need to take the measurement of your girth (the circumference of the base of your penis shaft), and then dividing by pi (3.14), to get the diameter of your penis.
EXAMPLE:
Girth Measurement = 6 inches divided by 3.14 (pi) = 1.91 inch diameter (width)
Lastly, refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines on the sizing of their condoms. Many times this information is right on the box. Most manufacturer’s also have condom sizing info on their websites. Select a condom size that is closest to your erect penis size. Here’s a chart of some of the most popular brands, for easy reference.
