Two Day Magazine

At the University of Kentucky, Dr. Richard Crosby, and Dr. Bill Yarber of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction in Indiana wrote:

“Men and their female sex partners may benefit from public health efforts designed to promote the improved fit of condoms.”  

Condoms that do not fit correctly often times break, slip off, or cause a reduction in sexual pleasure for both partners. Is the ill-fitting condom the real reason men don’t want to wear them? Are there just too many “big boys” out there (Hey, a girl can dream, can’t she?) or is this just an excuse men use to avoid using protection when having intercourse?

This study, which was released Monday, focuses on encouraging people to use condoms to reduce the possibility of contracting HIV, other STIs and of course, unwanted pregnancy; which was reported in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections.

The survey included 436 men which ranged in ages 18-67. Nearly HALF (45%) reported that they had used a ill-fitting condom in the last 3 months. The men surveyed also complained that the condom was irritating to wear (duh, if you don’t put lubrication on it first) and they often broke or slipped off. (Um, if it is slipping off, it definitely isn’t too small, that would mean the condom is too big.)

These same guys who wore ill fitting condoms were TWICE as likely to say that using condoms reduced the overall sexual pleasure for both them and their partner. Newsflash, if  a woman is worrying about the condom breaking, slipping off, or chafing her, they probably won’t want to have sex at that point. No one wants to panic in the middle of sex, thinking, “Oh, shit, what just happened?”  Kind of a mood killer.

The researchers also wrote that: “Moreover, the increased likelihood that men using ill-fitting condoms will remove condoms before sex ends constitutes another form of condom failure. Fortunately, it seems likely that these problems could be rectified through education programs.”

What’s even more entertaining is the fact that since condoms are labeled “Small”, “Medium”, “Large”, etc..., these same men that were surveyed said they refused to buy (or felt embarrassed to buy) condoms that were “Small” or “Medium”.

I, for one, propose that they stop labeling condoms as “Small” and start using letters like they do on ladies’ pantyhose. If you are a “Small” you buy size “A”. “Medium” is size “B”, and so forth. A discreet letter at the corner of the condom package may make men more likely to buy the size that they actually need, and not the size that they are projecting to the outward world, including the Walgreens counter girl who is bored enough to judge you.

Is this really about size, though? Or do men really not want to wear condoms? I understand that it feels better without them, but, is it really that big of a deal? Isn’t it better to have safe sex and not worry, than to make your partner nervous? Let’s be real, I know guys don’t worry as much as girls do, because they can’t get preggers. For us, there is always that extra fear in the back of the mind (which is why it is so important for women to take care of themselves, sexually, and get on birth control if they aren’t in the market for a baby.)

I also believe that our lack of real sex education in high schools is at the root of this issue, as well. How many men were actually shown how to use a condom properly? Probably not that many. What’s the point of having contraceptives if you don’t know what to do with them? Although, I guess they can make great water balloons.

Enjoy the video. Whenever someone speaks with a British accent, I feel like they know what they are talking about!

Point being, don’t be a fool, wrap your tool!