Choosing the right condom sizes is key for pleasure and protection. A good fit prevents STIs and pregnancy while enhancing your experience. Learn how to measure and find the perfect fit.
Size isn’t everything, but getting therightsize is the most important factor when it comes to external condoms. Finding a close, not constricting, fit can maximize your pleasure while providing protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy.
Condoms don’t typically come with a size chart on the box, though, so how do you choose the right one for you? We’re breaking it down.
What are the standard condom sizes?
Different brands use different terms to describe the size of the condoms they sell. That can make it tricky to pin down the right sheath for your pork sword. Condoms will generally fall into these ranges:
Choose a condom that’s slightly longer than your penis. This ensures there will be room to catch your ejaculate without breaking.
How to measure your penis size
In order to find the right size condom, you’ve gotta know what you’re working with.
Your flaccid penis size isn’t correlated to your erect size, so you’ll need tomeasure your peniswhen it’s hard. Nobody knows how to do that better than you, so we’ll trust in your knowledge and expertise. Once you’re up and running, here’s how it’s done:
So, what’s the average penis size?
For reference, a2021 studyputs the average erect penis length at 5.1 to 5.5 inches, while another from the same year putsaverage girthat about 4.7 inches. (If you’ve heard that the average length is 6 inches or more, that stat’s from old studies where participants measured and reported their own sizes.)
Measurements of the most common condoms
But what does this look like in the real world? Let’s break down some popular products from the two biggest global condom brands,DurexandTrojan.
FYI: If you have your girth measurement, you may divide that number by 3.14 to estimate the width you’d need.
Exploring your condom options
Finding the right size condom isn’t the only thing to keep in mind.Condomscome in plenty of different styles, designs, and materials to help you get the experience you’re looking for.
What’s the best material for condoms?
Size might be your most pressing concern when it’s time to go condom shopping, but you’ve also got a few different materials to choose from. The four most common condom materials are:
Latex condomsare by far the most popular on the market. Latex is flexible and strong, even in a thin layer. That makes it an ideal line of defense for your precious member. However, it’s not great at transferring heat, so you may lose out on some of the pleasurable, warmth down there.
PSA: Don’t use oil or oil-based lube with latex condoms. Oil breaks latex down, which increases the risk it may break or tear. Water or silicone-based lubes are your safest bet here.
Polyurethane condomsare usually even thinner than latex ones and transfer heat better. That makes for more of the good, good feeling, but there’s a downside: Polyurethane is more likely to break than latex ifthings get rough, so be careful.
Polyisoprene condomsare a strong choice if you’reallergic to latex. This stuff doesn’t contain the proteins which seem to beresponsible for latex allergies. It also feels soft and natural, despite being a bit thicker than the majority of condoms on the market.
Lambskin condoms, despite the name, aren’t made of lambskin. They’re actually made from the cecum, which is part of the intestine. These natural condoms are thin and tough, plus they’re better at transferring heat, which can boost the pleasurable feeling downtown.
PSA: TheFDA doesn’t recommendlambskin condoms as effective protection against STIs, includingHIV. They’re good at catching semen to prevent pregnancy, though.
How are different condoms designed?
When you’re picking the right condom, the most important thing is getting the right size to fit your little fella. Once you’re sure you’ve got the level of safety you need, you can start branching out.
Condom brands get incredibly creative, with design features like:
Should you use a pre-lubed condom?
That’s totally up to you. Plenty of condoms on the market come pre-lubed to boost sensitivity and reduce friction. Just remember, getting the right fit and proper protection should be your top priority. Don’t sweat it if you can’t find a pre-lubed condom to fit you.
There are plenty oflubricantsout there which you can apply to your condom once it’s on. A silicone-based lube works for longer on average, and it won’t break down latex condoms.
Just don’t go crazy with the lube. Too much can cause your condom to slide off during sex.
It’s important to pick the right size condom to fit your willy. Too large and it might simply fall off mid-act. Too small and it could break, and will almost certainly feeluncomfortable. With time and experience, you’ll learn what brands and designs enable you to enjoy a secure, shagadelic sex life.
