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Sometimes (condom) size matters
by Randi Hutter Epstein
Associated Press Writer
(AP)—When it comes to safe sex, size does
matter.
A British survey found that almost one in five
men complain that condoms are too tight. And too
tight condoms—paradoxically—tend to slide off,
said researcher Dr. Stuart J. Tovey.
The findings suggest that condoms should be
made in a a variety of sizes, Tovey said. In many
countries, only one-size-fits-all versions are avail
able.
The study is published in the Oct. 16 issue of
The British Medical Journal.
Of 281 men surveyed at a London clinic, 19
percent said condoms were too snug. Of those
complaining, three-quarters said condoms slipped
off frequently and two-thirds said condoms ripped.
“The assumption is that because you can blow
up a condom and put it on your head at a party, it
ought to be big enough,” Tovey said.
But “when you get the condom out of the
packet it’s rolled up as a tight rubber ring that won’t
stretch at all.”
If a condom is too tight to roll all the way on
easily, the ring can enter the man’s partner and be
rolled off during intercourse, Tovey said.
Also, when men have difficulties putting on
condoms, they “usually put their fingers, two from
each hand, inside the ring and try to drag it over,”
Tovey said. As they do that, the condom splits.
British standards specify condoms be from
1.97 to 2.13 inches wide. The World Health
Organization recommends condoms be from 1.93
to 2.09 inches wide.
Those guidelines discourage manufacturers
from designing extra-wide styles, Tovey said.
“Myguessisthatthemostcomfortablecondom
is going to be a very loose condom,” he said.
“People are worried that a very loose condom
would come off, but I think there must be ways to
get around that.”
Dr. Richard McDonald of the Physicians As
sociation for AIDS Care in Chicago was more
skeptical about the problem.
“A huge number of men" complain about too
tight condoms, he said. “The problem is not the
condom is too small for the vast majority of men
that complain, but their egos are too large.”
A 2.6-inch wide condom is available in the
United States, but McDonald said just as many
men complain that it is too tight. T .
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Polyurethane
condoms set
for U.S. sales
by Malcolm Ritter
AP Science Writer
(AP)—A thinner condom that allows more
sensitivity than latex prophylactics and still pro
tects against the AIDS virus goes on sale in the
United States next year the British-based manu
facturer says. Unlike latex condoms the trans
parent polyurethane prophylactic can also be
used with oil-based lubricants such as petro
leum jelly and mineral oil* London International
Group PLC said.
Oil lubricants weaken latex. The new prod
uct will also avoid the latex allergy some people
have, company chairman Alan Woltz said. The
so-called female condom also is made of poly
urethane.
"I'm very excited that there is now an
allernative to latex condoms which will be effec
tive at preventing the transmission of the HIV
virus," said Dr. Robert Hatcher, a professor of
gynecology at Emory University.
The condom’s compatibility witll oil hased
lubricants is "a big plus," he said despite warn
ings people frequently use such lubricants with
latex condoms and that is thought to be one
reason lor condom breakage, he said.
London International Group now sells the
Ramses, Sheik and Touch from Protex condoms
from the United States. It said it has approval
from the Food and Drug Administration to start
marketing the new condom. Woltz would nol
reveal the condom’s brand name. It will cost
more than latex condoms he said, bill he would
not discuss its price. The product is thinner than
a latex condom because the polyurethane is
twice as strong Woltz said. The company devel
oped the material called Duron. And unlike
extra-thin extra-sensitive condoms made from
lamb tissue, lhe polyurethane product blocks
viruses that cause AIDS and other diseases and
it will be less expensive than the company's^
lamb product, Woltz said.
Tests wilh users show that it allows
greater sensitivity. Company official Phylis
Barber said tests with people well educated
in condom use showed breakage rates simi
lar to latex. ▼
Page 32
Fall 1993