Many years ago, I happened upon a company called TheyFit, which I believe were the pioneers of multi-size condoms in the U.S. At the time, the choices in the U.S. were standard and "Magnum". The condoms were on the pricey side and had to be shipped from the U.K. The company was hoping to get FTC approval, but laws in the U.S. at the time required that each size had to be individually approved--an expensive and daunting task for a company that makes 50 or more sizes.
After measuring with their print-at-home ruler, I found my size (also random letters and numbers) and ordered. My experience with the condoms I received was nothing less than amazing! For the first time in more than a decade of condom use, I finally had one that fit properly, was comfortable, and actually improved my experience. Because standard-size condoms never fit well, I had to relearn the rules for use, as my real-world experience finally matched what I had been taught but forgotten many years prior.
The original article in mention was matter-factly, revealing, and inevitably humorous. With regards to the explanation of sizes and averages, I could evision someone coming out with the #fakenews hashtag...
My wife had the opportunity to educate a group of sex offenders on the use of condoms. Interesting session. She would have loved the variety but standard were the only available from the local health dept. Next time she will go to Boston and get the AAA size for the most macho abuser there.
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Glad you were keeping away from the puns. It must have been hard - I mean difficult..
Seriously, a good article- pleasant to read something other than the hatred in current events.
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In the original article it stated that the company used random numbers to describe the size of individual condoms. This I imagine is to spare men from having to order, for example, a condom in extra short size. The ego just couldn't take it.
On the other hand, women seem to survive having to order a bra with a AA or A cup.
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Thanks so much, Ms. Belluck, for reporting on condoms with just the right balance of seriousness and good humor.
Most of all, thank you for getting out the all-important word that today's condoms are available in spectrum of sizes, shapes and thicknesses/thinnesses.
In the bad old days (which I remember all too well ...), condoms were pretty much either thick, sensation-killing "rubbers" or lighter, clinging products made from animal membranes that were prone to disastrous breakage.
But today there are lots of light, contoured yet strong condoms. Shop around on one of the consumer-friendly, information-rich condom websites -- then experiment with someone you love! There's no reason anymore not to use one.
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Ha Ha x 3.
Anything that will keep this conversation front and center (boy, it IS hard - oy! again! - to avoid puns with this topic, isn't it?!) is a good thing. STIs, from the inconvenient to the lethal, are rampant and totally preventable. Both male and females need to use protection EVERY time. And most people are stunned to learn that the rate of increase in STIs is second-highest in seniors, trailing only the 16-24 range.
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Rate of increase is such a poor indicator of anything.
Look at the rates by age. Seniors have an extremely low Dx rate for sti s such as GC, syphilis, and as far as HIV.
Any extremely small pool will likely show a high rate of increase with just a few upticks. A large pool of infected may show little uptick despite lots of new Dx.
There is a large contingent that want to say we are all at risk for syphilis, GC, HIV. In general we are not. Especially if you limit the number of sexual partners a little. Want to have BB with the multitudes especially those in a high risk group then your risk goes up
Those who engage in high risk sex with high risk partners without protection are indeed at risk.
Most HIV and syphilis in the US is found with MSM
just as it was back in the 1960s and 1970s.
Americans thinking themselves exceptional, I pretty much guarantee most men will pick a size, or three, bigger than necessary, leading to greater failure rates. Yay us?
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The random letter-number designation pretty-much does away with the need for this. Your partner isn't going to care that you just put on an E14 instead of a K31. Besides, for the majority of men who are within one standard deviation of the mean, size doesn't matter to their partners.
Found one or two of the article's puns a bit of a stretch, but I got the thrust nonetheless.
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This reminded me of the old L&M cigarette jingle line: "It's not how long you make it, it's how you make it long." Which in turn made me recall the old joke which asked: "Do you smoke after sex?", the punchline being: "I don't know, I never looked."
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Well, if you enjoy having Mr. Happy bound in a latex straightjacket. This relationship...you're smothering me...can't breathe...
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Paraphrasing Abe Lincoln, "your member needs to be just long enough to do the job" - unless you are using a condom, then all bets are off.
I'm not sure there are any hard and fast rules about condoms.
There are a variety of things you experience in the act: friction, lubrication, warmth, and almost a sense of electricity.
The condom insulates you from those. Maybe the solution is to see the act as a multiple course event, going from PVI to other places with other options.
Allegedly some condom features increase female pleasure, but difficult to measure that. Maybe there is a female perspective there?
Given some men's fragile egos, I'm not sure some will go into a store and ask for the extra-smalls.
I applaud your zest and honesty ..... and even the odd tongue-in-cheek comments.
:)
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But no discussion of female condoms?
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Since you're concerned about the rate of condom usage by men, I suggest you talk to a cross-section of men about their preferences & experiences with condoms. You've already spoken to researchers & manufacturers.
Especially important to talk to guys who don't use condoms & to know their reasons.
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Well done, madam, well done.
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I suppose this will generate jokes from someone, but I'm serious. Back in the 80's when it became necessary to start using condoms there was one aspect of using them that I found particularly onerous. It was the decidedly unpleasant experience of removing the condom and having it yank out my hair. The single best advice I have for making the condom experience more pleasurable is this - shave your junk. The condom goes on easier, fits better and is removed much easier without getting caught up in all that hair.
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Brava, Belluck! Great job! Now, if only men would actually use them ;) Problem is, too many men [of my acquaintance, anyway] protest that condoms reduce their penis's sensitivity and therefore their pleasure, so ... The rest is [a sadly repeated] history.
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The issue is less whether all men should or will use them. The issue is the number of men who engage in high risk sex will they use them.
Sadly the answer is a lot will not. For those that won't don't worry-----decades of strong medicine every day of their life will do the trick.
Ah condoms! Reminds of a comment made by Sly Stallone in Rocky 1 when an eager investor in Rocky's future suggested that the new boxing star should invest in condominiums. Dead eyed, Rocky looked at the man and said: "Condoms? I never use them."
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Excellent coverage and penetrating analysis.
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Comfortable style, contains the relevant.
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