October 15, 2007

With Condoms, Size Does Matter

Providing men with a larger number of condom-size choices will boost the chances of their using them, suggested experts and condom makers at an international condom meeting in South Korea. (USAToday.com/Associated Press, 10/15)

More than 100 conference attendees examined dozens of pages of condom specifications and testing requirements. Frank Sadlo, founder of TheyFit, a company that makes custom-fit condoms, said it has been difficult to change the condom industry. Varying condom length is just one of many topics being discussed at the five-day meeting.

“Typically, when a man complains about condom fit, we have assumed that he means that condoms are too small and we have often just ignored this complaint because we think that men are bragging about the size of their penis,” Michael Reece, director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University said. “It is time for those who establish condom manufacturing standards to consider whether an expanded range of condom sizes is necessary.”