Condom Size Guide

Posts Tagged ‘Condoms’

A lot of people don’t put much thought into the condoms they are buying. Usually what happens is, snatch one up from the counter; pay and then leave. However, there are several things that one needs to consider when buying condoms.

From condom size to the durability or strength even to the color and flavor; these factors contribute greatly to your intimacy with your partner and more importantly, they provide you with protection from sexually transmitted diseases, among other things.

Condom Sizes

Sizes come in varying degrees, usually dependent on the maker or manufacturer of the condom. Before men can find the right fit, they usually have to try several brands or sizes first.

The sizes can differ in length or width and sometimes, they only differ on the size of the tip of the condom. Sometimes the length and the width are similar in size but the tip of one is slightly wider than the other.

The important thing to remember when figuring out the right size for condoms is that they should not be ill-fitting in that they are too tight since they could really be uncomfortable.

They should also not be loose even a small fraction.

On the average, the standard length of condoms is about one hundred and seventy-eight millimeters. Width measurement usually starts at forty-nine millimeters in diameter to fifty-three millimeters.

Again, depending on the brand, the minimum and maximum length and width may slightly vary.

The length can go as high as two hundred and fifty-one millimeters while the width can reach up to sixty-six millimeters.

Shapes, Colors and Flavors

Contrary to what others may think, condoms come in various shapes. The shapes of the tip are usually what are called a reservoir tip and a plain tip.

The length on the other hand can be ribbed or those that have bumps; form-fitting or those that are indented just under the tip; and flared, or those that have a wider tip.

After you have selected the shape that you want, next things to consider are the color and then the flavor. Colors vary, from red to pink, yellow, green and blue; you can take your pick of your favorite colors from a wide variety of colored condoms out in the market today.

There are likewise different flavors that condoms come in. A number of these are sweet while others have a mint flavor.

The shape, flavor and color can significantly add to your enjoyment of your private moment with your partner, hence; it is important to discuss both your preferences on condoms so you and your partner can enjoy your intimacy on the same level of satisfaction.

Since you are reading this, you’re no doubt looking for the right condom size for your personal use. Before consulting a manufacturer’s condom size chart, let’s review what a condom’s function is and why size, in this case, really does matter.
 
A condom is an object used as an artificial means of contraception. It is made of stretchable material and is wrapped around a man’s genitals. As the organ lengthens during intercourse, the condom stretches along with it. A space at the top of the condom catches semen during ejaculation, so it doesn’t enter into the female.

Get the Right Size for You

Getting the right condom size is vital if you and your partner are to use condoms as an effective means of contraception. If the condom is too large, it will slip off or the semen may leak and spill out. If it is too small, it will cause discomfort and may tear apart during use. If the condom is too short for the length of the shaft, it can get pulled and up and removed while being used.
 
To get the right condom size for you, first determine your requirements. If you don’t know how to measure for this and detwermine size, here is how.

Tips on Measuring

First take an ordinary tape measure. You will use the millimeter units. It should go without saying that you will need to measure when fully erect. When it is at full length, take the ruler and measure from the base of the shaft (where it attaches to the body) to the tip of the head. This is the full length.
 
Next, take the tape measure and run it around the circumference. You must measure at the widest point. This is the girth. Research has found that the average length is 153mm or 6” while the average girth is 128mm or 5”. This can vary of course according to your age, ethnicity, height, etc.
 
Looking at condom size charts can be tricky. Like clothes manufacturers, condom brands each have their own ideas of “medium, “large,” “extra large” and so on. What may be large to one is medium to another. On average, a condom girth is about 98-106mm girth and 180mm long. If your size is well above or below this, you need to look harder and experiment more. Buy single condoms instead of packages. Try each one as you go and see what is most comfortable for you.
 
And a final reminder: Not every man can use a condom. Some may be allergic to the material used. So if you have a history of allergies or have sensitive skin, keep this in mind and discuss it with your partner and a doctor.

Condom sizes are not standardized because companies make them in different widths and lengths. In addition, condoms constructed from natural rubber can be stretched to accommodate different lengths. The following are just some of the condom types and sizes from various brands.

Durex Condoms

Their Close Fit style is 178 mm long and is 49 mm wide. The Durex Sensation condoms are also 178 mm long and 52 mm wide. The ribbed condoms are 179 m long and have a width of 53 mm.

The Elite, Tingle, Select Flavors, Extra Safe, Performa and Featherlite are all 205 mm long. Their minimum width is 42 mm and the maximum is 63 mm.

The Avanti Ultima condom size is 205 mm (length) and 52/63 mm (minimum and maximum width, respectively). The Comfort XL is 251 mm long and has a maximum width of 63 mm. The minimum width is 54 mm.

Lifestyle Condoms

The baggy, straight, ribbed, studded, and flared are all between 150 to 200 mm long. They are all 52 mm wide. The contoured style is between 160-200 mm long and 49 mm wide. Their extra large is 195-200 mm long and 56 mm wide.

Kimono Condoms

The textured, MicroThin (Ultra Lubricated/Ultra Thin) and thin are 190 mm long and 52 mm wide. Their MAXX and MicroThin Large styles are 195 mm long and 59.5/52 mm wide.

Why the Condom Size is Important

If the condom is too small, it can be very uncomfortable. If the condom is too big, it is going to slip off. A condom that is too large is a more likely problem.

Most of the condoms sold today are very stretchable. Often, the discomfort arises from a not so stretchable tip. In many cases, manufacturers make condoms that have the same body width as the standard condom, but the head is larger.

This is very beneficial because it’s the condom head that is usually tight. The body size is hardly a problem because condoms today are very stretchable.

How to Find the Right Size

This can be tricky as condom brands have their own sizing systems. For example, brands have their own notion as to what is regular or extra large. The best option is to buy several types of condoms and see which fits you best.

What are Condoms Made From?

A condom is usually constructed from polyurethane or latex. Latex is more widely available and is considered by many as safer to use. The latex condom can only be utilized with water based lubricants. They cannot be used with lubricants that are oil based. Some people are allergic to latex. If that is the case, use polyurethane.

Polyurethane condoms are thinner than latex, so it is preferred by a lot of people. However they are not as flexible as latex and cost more. But water and oil lubricants can be used with them.

The many condom sizes means there is one guaranteed to fit you. Although there are still some who are hesitant about using condoms, the protection they offer against STDs makes them a must-have.

 

Some men do not relish discussing the different sizes of condoms. In fact, it seems to be one of the least discussed topics even among men. It is generally assumed that these things are really elastic so that they can accommodate every size from the smallest to the largest. However, the fact is that not all men are created equal and finding the right size may take some research. So, let's look as some facts first…

Why Bother with Condom Sizes?

There are two main reasons why men should at times think about getting a properly fitting condom. For one thing, which is more obvious for most men, it will be very uncomfortable if you wear one that is too tight. It will be greatly uncomfortable. Well, the discomfort usually comes from the tip since that part of the condom isn't as stretchy as the rest of the thing.

However, do take note that condoms can be very stretchable. You can pull one over a boot without it ever breaking. Of course, everyone will ultimately be happier with a condom that fits just right without having to tug at it with a bit of a struggle when it is needed.

The other reason why one should bother with the different condom sizes is the fact that if the condom is too big or loose, the chances are that the condom might just slip off during the times you really don't want it to. Now this is a bigger cause for alarm than having one that is too tight!

The Industry Accommodates

Of course, condom manufacturers have foreseen this event and thus they have manufactured condoms of different sizes. This is a big sigh of relief for some of the men who are struggling with this issue. The issue with the sizes of these condoms is where to make it bigger. Some manufacturers have made condoms that have larger heads while others have made ones that are larger on both the head and body. The choice of the type of adjustment to use is all up to the consumer.

Comparative Condom Sizes

Take note that each condom brand will have their own definition of what is a regular sized condom and what is a large-sized one. Remember that one brand's XL condom size may only be the other brand's regular condom size. This simply means you just can't trust what's on the label.

You can consult some documentation from the manufacturer's website to have a general idea but remember that it may require some experimentation just to find the dimensions that will be right for you. Here are some sample sizes of different brands out there. A Durex comfort XL is 251mm in length and has either a 63mm or 54mm width.

The dimensions of a Lifestyles brand extra large will be 195-200mm long and 56mm in width. Their regular sized straight type condoms are 150-200mm long and 52mm in width. A Kimono brand MAXX size is 195mm in length and 52mm in width. Given these dimensions, one should still try out different sizes from different brands just to get the perfect fit.