Finding the right condom for you 

The theme for our 2022 Sexual Health Week is breaking barriers. In order to break barriers around sexual health we need to educate, challenge stigma and empower people to take charge of their sexual health. We’re delighted to have support from sexual health brand Pasante as one of our headline sponsors for SHW22. In this blog Chloe Francis-Smith, Marketing Executive at Pasante, talks us through the steps to finding the perfect condom. 

Most of us, at some point, have experienced the same dilemma. Standing in the condom aisle, looking at the brightly coloured display of condoms that all offer you something sensational, and not knowing where to begin. There are condoms that have a texture to them, condoms that delay climax (orgasm), condoms that glow in the dark, and condoms that are ultra-thin – and that’s just for starters!

With all these options to choose from, it can be hard to know which condom is the right one to choose.  

Condoms are the only form of contraception to protect from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, as well as unwanted pregnancy. Although condoms are not 100% effective, their job is to cover the penis in order to stop fluids being transferred between partners. With such an important job to do, it’s vital the condom you wear is the correct one for you.  

Condom sizes 

While condoms are designed to stretch, wearing the wrong size can cause problems.

1. If you wear a condom that feels too big or doesn’t cover the whole penis, it may slip off during sex.
2. If the condom is too long or wide, it may roll up a lot at the base of the penis or be saggy around the mid-section, which can be uncomfortable.
3. A condom that’s too tight can be at risk of splitting.

Using the wrong size condom can mean you aren’t fully protected and can increase your risk of unwanted pregnancy or STIs.  

Some condom manufacturers use slightly different measurements so it’s always best to measure your own penis first to find out exactly which size is best for you. Condoms typically come in three standard sizes, which will normally include a smaller size, a medium size, and a larger size.  

You may want to choose a slightly different size, based on your personal preference. If your size does not match a condom size exactly, your best option is to choose the nearest size. Also, don’t be afraid to try out different sizes to find out what is most comfortable for you. A proper fit is both comfortable and held snugly in position. 

Did you know? It’s better that a condom has more length or less width rather than be too wide or too short.  

How to measure your penis 

Firstly, find yourself a ruler and measuring tape and make sure your penis is erect (hard). This will ensure you buy the perfect fit. If you measure your penis when it is flaccid (soft), there’s a chance you may buy the wrong size condom. When measuring, you are looking for the length and width of your penis. Your penis width will affect how a condom fits and stays on and the length is important because the condom needs to cover the whole penis and leave space for your semen at the end.  

Measuring Length

Place a ruler or measuring tape under your erection, making sure the edge of the measuring tool is at the base of your penis, ensuring that the entire shaft will be covered. 

Your length is the number (in mm) that you see above the tip of your penis (this is the measurement of your erect penis to the end of the tip). 

Measuring Width

Wrap your measuring tape gently around the middle of your erection. If you don’t have a measuring tape, you can loop a piece of string around your penis and then measure the string with a ruler afterwards. 

The measurement on the measuring tape / of the string (in mm) is the width of your penis. This is not the ‘nominal’ width, this is the circumference of your penis. 

What condoms could I choose?  

For those wanting a different sensation, here are some condom types which differ from a standard condom: 

• Condoms with warming or cooling sensations 
• Textured condoms i.e., ribbed or ribbed and dotted (these kinds of condoms can enhance pleasure for both parties) 
• Extra-thick condoms  
• Ultra-thin condoms (these types of condoms are used for intense closeness) 
• Glow in the dark condoms 
• Condoms which delay ejaculation (these will postpone the male climax for a longer) 
• Flavoured condoms: some people like to use these for oral sex and come in a variety of flavours including strawberry and chocolate  
• King sized condoms: for those who need an extra-large size  

Head on over to www.pasante.com to find the right condom for you.