Considering the wide variety of lengths and girths among schlongs, it's insane that condoms are still pretty much one-size-fits-all...or at least, one-size-fits-most. That's where a new line of prophylactics from Condomania comes in: TheyFit condoms come in 55 DIFFERENT SIZES!!!

—Not only that, they're truly tailor-fitted, based on length AND girth!!! The "head" of Condomania says TheyFit condoms take into consideration nearly EVERY COMBINATION of length and girth...so unless you're built like a cake, they've got something for you!!!

—TheyFit Condoms range from 3 inches to 10 INCHES long, and from "super slim" to "extra roomy", so there really is a comfortable fit for everyone. And if men all had perfect-fitting jimmy-hats, they'd be more likely to wear them, and the rubbers themselves would be less likely to break or fall off.

—Now I know what you're thinking: How do you know which of the 55 DIFFERENT SIZES is right for you? Simple: You use the TheyFit Fit Kit!!! It's a measuring device that you can print out on your home computer; it comes with all the instructions for wrapping it around your package then choosing the appropriate size based on your measurements. (—Just watch out for paper cuts!!!)

—Here's one more perk: The sizes are all given number-letter combinations like B-88 or Z-11 and it's not like the bigger the number, the bigger the rubber. It's much more random, so that guys don't have to be embarrassed about ordering the smallest one.

(—You can find out all you need to know at http://www.condomania.com/Theyfit...and that's also where you can download your very own Fit Kit to determine which of the 55 DIFFERENT SIZES is right for you!!!)

The days of here too short and there too long are over for Americans as condoms are now available in 55 different sizes.

They Fit condoms by Condomania said in a press release that it was nonsense that one size fits all.

"Condoms will now be sold like bras and shoes. The unique sizing system will not be embarrassing for men. They will not need to be embarrassed about a box of B88's or Z11's as the sizes are not relevant to what's inside," said the company.

Men will also not have to ask a shop assistant what size will fit. At the push of a button, buyers will be able to download instructions from the internet.

Condomania said that should a condom be too small there is a chance it can break, while if one is too big, it can slip off. In addition, people don't actually know what the sizes "smaller" and "bigger" actually mean.

Retailer Condomania began marketing TheyFit condoms, the only custom-sized prophylactics that come in a wad-blowing 55 different sizes. How does one know what size he is? By measuring length and width with the "Fit Kit," a ruler that, incidentally, does not show inches, but nonsequential letter and number codes like S77 or B17, which is also how TheyFit condoms are sold.

An Internet company has a plan to make sure they have your size covered. They've called Condomania, and they're offering a new line of condoms in 55 sizes. But what's so special about these rubbers? According to the company's Adam Glickman, the "TheyFit" brand condoms are more comfortable and less likely to tear than other styles. And if you're not sure what size you'll need, just see Condomania's online special measuring tool. If you think you may not measure up, don't cry. The measurements are defined by random number and letter combinations. Meaning you won't get a warning on your monitor saying something like, "Sorry, we don't make 'em that small."

This week's feature question:

Whenever I use a condom I have a hard time keeping it from slipping off. Is there anything I can do?—R.Z., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Answer:

For health and liability reasons, most condoms are longer than most guys—that is, standard condoms are seven inches, while standard guys are between five and six. The idea is that it's better to have too much protection than not enough. The problem is that the typical guy ends up with an inch of latex rolled up at the base of his penis. Besides being uncomfortable, this makes the condom more prone to unroll or catch inside his partner. That inspired Adam Glickman, founder of Condomania.com, to introduce custom-fit condoms. Download, or request by phone (800-926-6366), a "fit kit"—two paper rulers to measure the length and girth of your erection. With that info you can select the best fit from 55 sizes. A 12-pack is $12. "We've sold every size, but it's trending toward narrower and longer," Glickman says. "That makes sense, since the early adopters are guys who are the most unhappy with one size fits all." While the company expects to have one of the more interesting databases out there—hundreds of thousands of penile measurements—Glickman says customers need not worry about their personal data being shared with anyone.

An Internet retailer has begun offering a new line of latex condoms available in a range of 55 sizes that is billed as a better way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and reduces the chance of an unwanted pregnancy.

Los Angeles-based Condomania says the "TheyFit" condoms can offer men a more comfortable fit than other condom brands, which typically are available in only three or four size variations. A better fit should lead to fewer tears and slippage problems, and less anxiety, the company's CEO Adam Glickman said.

"A condom that fits right, not only physically fits better, but psychologically," said Glickman, who got his start selling condoms door-to-door at Tufts University before founding Condomania in 1991.

Each of "TheyFit" condoms' 55 sizes have been sold to 200 customers since Condomania began selling the brand last week on its Web site and at a store in New York City, he said.

Alex Farioletti, a bicycle messenger who stopped in at the Condomania store in Manhattan on Monday, saw the condoms in a store display and said he would buy a pack once he determined which size to buy.

"Condoms pretty much are not a pleasurable thing to use, so anything that could help the whole process along, I'm definitely going to try," said Farioletti, 24.

Glickman said only one or two men have reported not finding the right size for them.

"An argument can be made that maybe 55 sizes aren't enough," he said.

But the correlation, if any, between the fit of a condom and how well it protects has not been clearly defined, some researchers say.

"We don't have the science to support a need for 55 sizes," said Richard Crosby, an assistant professor at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.

Only anecdotal data are available on the subject, said Cynthia Graham, a researcher with the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction in Bloomington, Ind.

"It's clearly an area that is open for more research."

Beyond selling men on why they should buy a "TheyFit" condom, Condomania has to bank on prospective buyers' willingness to undergo a fitting.

Would-be customers are asked to print out and use a measuring template off the Condomania Web site to determine which size of condom to buy. Conspicuously absent from the "Fit Kit" template is any obvious size definition that might be offensive or make someone self-conscious. Instead, measurements are defined by random number and letter combinations like "J33" and "G22."

"You will not see in the they 'Fit Kit' vocabulary 'small' or 'thin' or anything that would make anyone feel less about themselves," Glickman said.

Armed with the magic number, a customer could then place an order. A pack of 12 condoms runs $11.95.

Most major brand-name condoms can be found virtually everywhere from convenience stores to pharmacies or vending machines in some night clubs.

But the demands of stocking so many sizes likely will keep the "TheyFit" line available only through the Internet or specialty shops, Glickman said.

By Alex Veiga

As guys, there are products we love – iPods, Ducati motorcycles, Jessica Alba, and there are products we hate – scented candles, beds with 465 useless pillows, and most Penny Marshall films. But in the history of guy products, we've never both loved and hated any single thing quite as much as the condom. On one hand, condoms are uncomfortable, they reduce sensation during sex, it kills the moment taking the time to put one on, and when you buy a dozen and four years later you realize 11 of them are now past their expiration date, you feel like a total loser. (Um…not that that’s ever happened to me or anything. I mean not since college.)

On the plus side, we love condoms because they usually mean we're having sex. With a partner. Hopefully not a partner named "Miss Krystall" who we had to rent for the hour.

However for a product so ubiquitous, the condom has, until recently, remained fairly simple. They were made of latex (does anyone really use lambskin?). They came in one size. And your only real choices were brand, ribbed, or the occasional Kiss of Mint flavored novelty condom. But about five years ago, things started to change. NASA-esque research and development went into discovering new materials, new designs, and news ways to make you forget you were even wearing a rubber. (Wow, does the word "rubber" sound dated now or what?) These days there are so many condom options, it makes you almost want to say forget it and spend the night with the Spice Channel and a warm washcloth. (I know, too much information. Sorry.)

So to save you the sheer agony of figuring out which condom is the best, I, along with my wonderful lab assistant, have taken it upon myself to do the exhaustive (and sometimes acrobatic) research for you.

Sweet Jesus, sometimes I really love my job.

One of the seminal breakthroughs in condom materials came (pardon the pun) almost a decade ago. Durex created the first polyurethane condom, the Avanti. The benefits of polyurethane over latex are many – no latex allergy problems, thinner but stronger, and oil-based lubricant won't make them break. But while testing the Avanti, the best benefit I noticed was that I could feel body heat through it, although that takes a little getting used to. Since it felt like I was wearing nothing, I had to stop several times during testing to make sure the Avanti was still on. Once I got past that fear, the only other drawback is that the polyurethane makes a slight crinkly sound during use. Then again, I’m getting old. Maybe that crinkly sound was me.

Reduced sensation has always been a drawback of condoms. But many new styles aim to give you more bang for your buck. The Trojan Ultra Pleasure and the Durex Enhanced Pleasure offer a looser-is-better approach. With flared tips at the ends, both these condoms let your stuff rub against your other stuff for more sensation. In field testing, both worked as advertised. The extra room felt better and more natural, although Enhanced Pleasure was more realistically named than Ultra Pleasure. My lab assistant's thoughts? "They both felt good, but I didn't really notice any difference" she said.

This being America, bigger is usually better. (Yeah baby!) So several companies took the baggy design to long lengths. The Inspiral condom and Trojan's Twisted Pleasure (who comes up with these names?) feature ultra-baggy, winding shapes that look more like something from Alien IV than something you'd want on your penis. However as ugly as these condoms looked, for me, they performed even worse. First, I didn't notice any extra fireworks due to the looseness. But they were so loose, I was constantly checking each one to see if it was still on. And many times, they weren't. The looseness didn't leave much surface area to hold the condom on, and both came off repeatedly during sex. "They also made a lot of noise," my assistant pointed out. "Weird noise."

With a sudden complex that maybe I should try "snugger fit" condoms to stop the slippage problem, I called on TheyFit Condoms. They make custom fit condoms in more than 55 sizes. You simply download sizing chart, follow the instructions, and order the exact size for you. My assistant and I had almost as much fun doing the measuring as we did road testing them. (For the record – I’m exactly average length and quite a bit above average in width.) Other than the personal size aspect, the Vivas are your average, everyday condom, but they worked wonderfully. After the Inspiral/Twisted Pleasure fiasco, having a condom on that I knew fit perfectly and wouldn’t slip off let me concentrate on more important things. Like the Kings/Lakers game that was on TV.

Feeling a little left out, my lab assistant "took vacation" until I promised to try a few condoms meant more for her than me. Not wanting to halt my important research even for a day, I brought a few new guys to the party. Uh…I mean…no…not like that. I went and bought some textured condoms. Ribbed and studded condoms have been around for years, but only recently have manufacturers begun experimenting.

First on the list was the Trojan Her Pleasure condom. The Her Pleasure features both a bulbous head (good for me) and "prominent" ribs around the base (good for her). We ended up trying this condom by accident – I blindly grabbed for one in the dark, not knowing which type we'd used until the next morning. So, did it work? Well, let’s just say that when we picked up the wrapper and saw which one it was, we were a little shocked. "That was for my pleasure? I get more pleasure from the spin cycle on the washing machine," she said. Not the most ringing endorsement of the condom or my lab techniques.

With expectations flaccid, my assistant and I tried a Japanese condom – the Sagami Type E. The ultra-thin Type E goes all out with both studs and ribs covering its surface. Now I don't know how well Types A through D worked, but for my money, the Type E was about as good a condom as I found. The super-thin design was quite sensitive. Just below the slightly-flared head, it narrowed, keeping the condom nice and snug. And unless you count the yelling "Oh my God! OH GOD!" from my assistant, I heard no complaints about the texturing.

Finally, wanting to go out with a bang, we decided to try for the hottest sex in the world. And how better to do that than with condoms from the hottest band in the world – Kiss Kondom's Studded Paul. (We couldn't quite bring ourselves to try the all red, "tongue lubricated" Gene Simmons condoms.) My assistant immediately noticed the studs. "Oooh! Feel the bumps!" she said. In actual use, the studs seemed to work for me, too. It was an added little sensation that I hadn't expected. And if the pounding on the walls from the complaining neighbors was any indication, the Kiss Kondom certainly rocked my lab assistant's world.

With the experiment finished, I decided to summarize my results. However, I feel as though my research is incomplete. There are still dozens of styles of condoms out there. I mean, I haven’t tried the Hot Rod condom with the speed strip applicator, the female condom, or the condoms with desensitizing cream. Ok, on second thought, maybe I’ll skip that last one.

By Matt Morin

US-based Condomania, which sell condoms over the Internet s well through its new York store, has brought out a range of condoms in 55 different sizes, and offers a free fitting guide in the form of a downloadable Word document.

The rationale for the range is that one size does not fit all. Two things suffer: comfort and security. Condomania founder Adam Glickman says "For the first time ever, condoms will be sold like shoes or bras. These innovative, patented condoms take into consideration just about all the likely combinations of length and girth, virtually assuring that each man will have a condom that fits properly. In fact, TheyFit Condoms are available in sizes that go well beyond the existing limiting sizes currently available." To determine the right fit, customers can download the Fit Kit from http://www.condomania.com/Theyfit.

BTW, the story goes that during the Second World War, Russian soldiers asked Britain to add condoms to the supplies of materièl supplied on the infamous Murmansk convoys. "Send them the large size, but mark them 'small'," growled Churchill.

I, for one, sleep a little better at night when I remember that P. Diddy has his own manservant. Knowing that Farnsworth is there to satiate Mr. Diddy's every need leaves one less worry for me.

I also take comfort in headlines so poignant as: "Worms live longer and have fun, too." If this Reuters report of our Caenorhabditis elegan friends is true, then surely there is also hope for the Homo sapien.

But if tidbits are not enough to reassure you, perhaps you fill find solace in this even greater revelation: a man can now buy a condom in 55 different sizes.

Condomania.com offers contraceptive devices that are tailored to fit precise dimensions. All a gentleman must do is download the Web site's Fit Kit, print out the provided guide and assemble the template into a beautiful piece of origami that he can use to measure the body part in question. The folded contraption will allow him to determine his TheyFit Condom size from the 55-size spectrum, which ranges from the modest J33 to the more awe-inspiring G22.

The positive implications this product offers the world extend far beyond Condomania's humble claims of reduced slipping and pinching.

First of all, it's based on an orderly structure. As our nation stubbornly rejects the metric system, quibbles over the idea of an official language, and even refuses to agree on Daylight Savings Time, Condomania provides a system that everyone can accept: a standardized penis scale. This could be a powerful diplomatic tool, particularly if it was accepted as the American Standardized Penis Scale. In cases of conflict, we could forget the whole bloody battle façade and cut right to the chase. Which bureaucrat scores better on the ASPS? Considering what is truly at stake in a power struggle, it seems this method would be much less arbitrary than warfare.

Another promising aspect of "TheyFit" condoms is that they level the playing field among males and females. There is now a counterbalance in the society where citizens can recite what an ideal woman's measurements should be. If a fellow demands his lady be nothing other than 35-24-36, why, she herself should insist that he is nothing less than a Z17. If they want to size to matter, then sister, make it matter.

Finally, Condomania's brainchild could generate capitalistic benefits, as the custom-fit condom industry can only expand. Condom tailoring will rise as a specialized profession, and hobbyists in a spectrum of fields can get a jump on this opportunity.

Established seamstresses can apply their designing abilities to a fresh set of patterns. Clowns with experience in balloon sculpture can practice their art of latex manipulation in this exciting new domain. And just as one-name clothiers erect empires from their brands, so will the flourishing condom outfitters of the future.

It's true that a condom can't save this bitter world. It can't feed the hungry; it can't give a child a place to live. But it can give us hope. It reminds us that solutions to our problems may come in small packages. Or bigger packages, if one is blessed. But most importantly, we can take such glimpses of genius as gentle affirmations that the world is still turning. If such a sparkling truth exists, things can't be that bad.

Zakt uw condoom tijdens het liefdesspel weleens af? Of loopt uw eikel juist regelmatig blauw aan? Dan moet u eens gaan kijken bij Condomania, want daar verkopen ze condooms in 55 maten.

Niet alleen comfort is door de Amerikaanse webwinkel als uitgangspunt genomen. Een perfect passende condoom zou ook de verspreiding van seksueel overdraagbare aandoeningen (soa's) beter voorkomen dan de standaard maten - een claim die trouwens niet wordt ondersteund door wetenschappelijk onderzoek.

Een ander voordeel van een maatcondoom is de gemoedsrust die het oplevert. Er zijn weinig dingen hinderlijker in bed dan de angst voor een scheurend of afzakkend kapotje of, zoals de oprichter van Condomania Adam Glickman het stelt: "Een condoom dat goed past, past niet alleen lichamelijk beter, maar ook geestelijk."

Het bedrijf doet nog meer om de gevoelens rond dit heikele onderwerp te ontzien. De maten van de condooms worden niet aangegeven met large, small of thin, maar met nietszeggende codes als J33 en O17.

In the end, size does matter. And apparently, one size doesn't fit all.

Just like brassieres for women come in many sizes and designed to fit all shapes and curves, condoms are now being offered in an array of lengths and widths to ensure maximum comfort and support.

"It's a true personalization of condoms," said Adam Glickman, president of Condomania, a California-based condom retailer. Last month, the company began selling condoms in 55 various sizes, from 3 inches to 10 inches long, and from tight-fitting to breezy. Until now, condoms have come only in two sizes in the United States, namely medium and large.

The move now is to get men to take their size and fit of the rubber seriously, just like they do about their trouser length or shoe size. By downloading a free kit from Condomania's website, customers can get a tape measure to figure out their specific size, and order a dozen for $11.95 that presumably fits them better than the ones they were using before. More comfortingly, perhaps, to many men, is that whatever size they end up with, they won't have to worry about whether they're bigger or smaller than the guy next door.

Unlike the bra, when everyone knows that a size 34A is much smaller than a 42D, sized condoms come in no logical sequence. As a result, it's not obvious to anyone but those in the industry whether, for instance, a box of B88-sized condoms are bigger or smaller than a pack of Z11s.

Meanwhile, a snugger fit apparently not only increases comfort, but enhances performance too.

"The number one reason that condoms break or slip off during the horizontal mambo is that the johnson in question was not properly dressed. Like shoes or bras, careful consideration must be given to condom size. Yes, all men are created equal, but ...when it comes to choosing a condom, size does matter, " Condomania's Glickman said.

Surprisingly enough, there is demand for all 55 sizes nationwide. According to Glickman, within a week of launching the new TheyFit line of condoms just on their corporate website, 78 customers ended up buying 48 different sizes, as 5000 people downloaded the sizing kit. By the 200th customer, all 55 sizes were ordered.

"It was the best fit I have ever found," gushed one user. "I've tried many sizes and brands and never had a good experience. These fit perfectly and provided the sensitivity I have always looked for," he added.

Moreover, the company insists that a better fit means a drastically lower possibility of the condom breaking or falling off, which is good news to both straight and gay users alike.

"Millions of men continue to struggle with the 'one size fits all' mentality that the condom manufacturers apply to condom size, often leading to very unfortunate results," Glickman said.

"Men everywhere, regardless of their size, will finally be able to get a condom that fits properly in order to have the safest and most enjoyable experience possible," said Frank Sadlo, the creator of the sized condoms.

Condomania has yet to launch a media blitz to advertise its latest product. For one, the company won't be selling the condoms in any drugstores, given that it would be virtually impossible for any retailer to stock all 55 sizes at once. Rather, Condomania has been selling them thus far solely either at their stores in New York and other locations or on-line, with plans for strategically increasing public outreach in the horizon. The company does, however, expect a publicity launch soon, with a number of endorsements by celebrities.

The high cost of using famous people in ads could easily be offset if Condomania's marketing plans pan out. Condom sales are certainly a big business, even though the industry has long ago ceded its position as the primary contraceptive method to the pill.

However, despite its falling popularity with straight men, over 500 million boxes of condoms are sold in North America alone each year, used by both hetrosexuals and homosexuals alike. Meanwhile, it is the preferred method of birth control to those in developing countries, and preached as the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and HIV/AIDS by international agencies including the United Nations Population Fund and the World Health Organization.

But even if international demand does heat up, the 55 sizes already on the market should suffice to meet the varying demands of men worldwide, according to Condomania.

By Shihoko Goto

A poor-fitting condom is a risky condom, says a company that makes them in 55 sizes and offers men a free "Fit Kit."

Does size matter?

The world's first line of condoms sold in sizes is banking that it does.

The stretchy latex sheath has too long been too loose, too tight, too one-size-does-not fit all, say the makers of the newest thing in condoms.

Now a guy can pick from 55 sizes. None of them, of course, labeled "small."

When it comes to fit and ease of use, "For millions of men out there, what is available doesn't even come close," says Adam Glickman, chief executive officer of Condomania, a Los Angeles company that began marketing TheyFit condoms a few weeks ago.

A condom that's too short increases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, Glickman says. If too tight, it may tear.

A handful of condoms already on the market come in large and small sizes.

But condoms sized for multiple widths and lengths, like shoes, are the latest advance in a product people once didn't even talk about. Thirty years ago, movie directors made a sweating adolescent's inability to ask for a "rubber" at the drugstore a metaphor for coming of age. Today, the women on HBO's Sex in the City keep bucketfuls in their nightstand drawers and talk about everything.

"You didn't hear a lot of penis talk in 1981, the Reagan years," says Glickman, who in 1991 opened New York's first condom store, Condomania. "In 2003 we have an enormous cultural shift in sexual attitudes. Now we can talk about why a condom is flavored."

All 55 sizes of TheyFits are stocked in the store. Many men want to guesstimate their size and buy. "We say, no, no, no," says Glickman, 36. "We hand out the Fit Kits."

A Fit Kit, also available on the Web at www.condomania.com/theyfit consists of paper rulers to measure length and width. "Please be careful" the instructions caution. "Watch out for paper cuts!" Measurements are not shown in inches but in nonsequential letter and number codes such as S77 or B17, which is how TheyFit condoms are sold. They arrive in a plain wrapper without a telltale return address.

A survey by Durex Condoms, says Glickman, found the erect penis ranges from 4 to 9 inches long and 1 to 2 inches or more in width.

The size chart in the kit, however, lists only "long" and "longer" and "wide" and "wider."

There is no "small."

TheyFit inventor Frank Sadlo insisted, says Glickman. Sadlo is a partner in the venture.

"When he came up with this whole thing, he was so sensitive to men. He said, "You're going to have to remove the words "small' and "short' from your vocabulary.' " "Condoms bring a lot of anxiety to (men's) sexual lives," Glickman says. "Men worry that they can't get the condom on fast enough or it's going to fall off and I'm going to feel like a jerk."

A good fit increases pleasure and prevents accidents, Glickman says.

But testing by Consumer Reports in 1999 found that condoms break or slip rarely, about 1 to 2 percent of the time. Researchers checked 30 styles of latex condoms purchased in restroom vending machines, campus clinics and other locations. They did conclude that expiration dates on condom packages should be observed: An old condom is a risky condom.

So does mankind really need more than four-dozen different sizes?

Flo Concklin, a registered nurse and manager for Pinellas County Health Department's vasectomy program, thinks not. She says she remembers a class on sexually transmitted diseases in which the instructor pulled a condom over his arm up past his elbow and told his audience not to ever believe a guy who says it doesn't fit.

"In one respect (Glickman) is getting attention to condoms," says Concklin, "and if guys buy them and wear them, who cares if there's 150 sizes."

Glickman says that when the condoms went on sale last month on the Web, all 55 sizes had been ordered by the time the 200th customer checked out. TheyFits cost about $12 per dozen. A pack of a dozen assorted Trojan condoms costs $6.99 on drugstore.com. A condom serves as a barrier to semen, fluids and germs between partners during sexual activity and is used to prevent pregnancy or transmission of disease. Condoms came back in vogue with the spread of AIDS. One federal study on birth control found condom use climbed from 12 percent in 1982 to 30 percent in 1995 among never-married women.

Researchers also fear lack of use by young gay men is propelling the first increase in new AIDS cases in the United States in 10 years.

Glickman hopes sized condoms will someday be so ubiquitous that singles ads will include the vital statistic.

"We've seen a lot of innovations in condoms to make it a sexier product," he says, "and every time . . . I applaud."

By Susan Aschoff

An Internet retailer is looking to attract shy convenience store and pharmacy customers by offering a new line of latex condoms available in a range of 55 sizes.

Los Angeles-based Condomania says the "TheyFit" condoms can offer men a more comfortable fit than other condom brands, which typically are available in only three or four size variations. A better fit should lead to fewer tears and slippage problems, and less anxiety, the company's CEO Adam Glickman said.

"A condom that fits right, not only physically fits better, but psychologically," said Glickman, who got his start selling condoms door-to-door at Tufts University before founding Condomania in 1991.

Each of "TheyFit" condoms' 55 sizes have been sold to 200 customers since Condomania began selling the brand last week on its Web site and at a store in New York City, he said.

A pack of 12 condoms runs $11.95.

In a bid to make it easier to wear condoms, a US company has developed a range for all sizes of men.

The makers of the TheyFit range of condoms claim they ensure that they don't slide off during sex, by being more of a snug fit than traditional models.

"While it may not be the size of the wave that floats your boat, when it comes to choosing a condom, size does matter," Condomania said in a press release this week.

It quotes Australian research, which suggests that the success of condoms often depends on the penis circumference, and that if the condom doesn't fit, it can split, break, or slide off.

To combat this, the company's website offers a measuring device for men to make sure they get the right fit for them.

Recent surveys suggest that the length of an erect penis can range from 4 to 9 inches, with widths stretching between 1 and 2 inches.

The range of condoms offered by the company are organised by letters rather than traditional small, large of average, in a bid to reduce embarrassment among men.

In the past, condoms have followed a one-size-fits-all approach, but now all that has changed. Adam Glickman, a Tufts University graduate and CEO of the specialty condom retailer, Condomania, has released a new line of custom-fit condoms called "TheyFit Condoms."

According to the company, these sized to fit condoms can decrease sexual risks, such as pregnancy and STDs, and increase pleasure for both partners.
All one has to do is go online to www.condomania.com and download a "Fit Kit" to measure their little friend in question. They can then order their customized condoms and have them shipped directly to their door.

With 55 different sizes to choose from, there should be an ideal match for everyone, according Glickman.

Glickman began his condom career during his undergraduate years at Tufts. He had always been an entrepreneur and had his own futon company by the time he was a junior. Glickman attended Tufts during the 1980s, when he says it was the "first time there was open debate and discussion about AIDS."

Few people previously considered condoms a necessity, but new fears arose with the growth of the deadly AIDS epidemic, Glickman says. "Short of abstinence to cure the spread of AIDS was the condom," he says.

This increased awareness in safe sex caused Glickman to combine his entrepreneurial skills, with his interests from his psychology and sociology double major, to create "Jumbo Brand Condoms."

"Jumbo Brand Condoms" were typical latex condoms packaged in a matchbook cover with a "Safe Jumbo is a Happy Jumbo" on one side, and a cartoon of the Tufts' mascot, an elephant, on the other. With classmate Davin Wedle, Glickman went door to door and ended up selling one thousand condoms for one dollar a piece.

With the success of "Jumbo Brand Condoms," Glickman wrote his senior sociology thesis on condoms before winning the "Montle Prize" for entrepreneurial leadership for his new company "Custom Condoms."

"Custom Condoms," located in Somerville, Mass., became highly successful and in 1991, Glickman and Wedle opened "Condomania" in New York City. The following year, "Condomania" became a full time company and split with its parent business. Glickman moved "Condomania" headquarters to Los Angeles while Wedle stayed in Boston with "Custom Condoms," now known as "Global Protection Corporations."

Glickman explains that his company "helps guide people to the best and newest products available." Hence, when Glickman learned of inventor Frank Sadlo's discovery of condoms made to fit each person as closely as possible, he immediately contacted the inventor. Glickman and Sadlo formed a partnership to get customized condoms from production to the marketplace, which has resulted in "TheyFit Condoms."

"TheyFit Condoms" address a common fear that men -- and their partners -- have of their condoms breaking or slipping during sexual intercourse. "My friend was so paranoid that after he had sex, he'd take home his condom and fill it with water to see if there were any holes," Tufts University sophomore Tim Kane says.

Sophomore Matt Ninnemann voices concern that a condom's size could affect its susceptibility to breakage. "I had a condom break once... there was a lot of friction going on and I think the condom might have been too small," he says.

Medical Director at Tufts Health Services Margaret Hingham disagrees with Glickman's assessment, saying that the "majority of condom breakage is due to misuse."

However, Glickman asserts that in fact size does matter when it comes to condoms. "The number one reason for condom failure beyond misuse is due to a size issue," he says. He points out that condoms that do not fit properly often leave an unrolled ring at base, which can become caught in the male's partner and get pulled off. The ring also can make the condom roll back up, increasing pressure and discomfort. Irritation is also a byproduct of the condom being too tight.

In addition to its protective use, Glickman says that a comfortable condom makes for a more enjoyable experience. And aside from childbirth, enjoyment is the main reason people engage in sex -- thus if it's not comfortable, sex likely will not be enjoyable.

"Once you get a condom that fits right, it's better both physically and mentally," Glickman says. "Anxiety alone can kill the moment."

Despite positive aspects of sized to fit condoms, their price deters some college students from actually purchasing them. "TheyFit Condoms" are priced at $11.95 per dozen while drugstore condoms range from $6-$12. Furthermore, most college students get their condoms free of charge. "I just go to health services," Ninneman says.

Sophomore, and co-coordinator of the Leonard Carmichael Society's Sex Talk, Allison Patrick stresses the importance of free condoms. Sex Talk hosts events such as Condom Outreach in the campus center where free condoms are offered. Patrick says that although guys can sometimes be hesitant about picking up protection for their precious package, "we have couples who come to stock up." The important thing, according to Patrick, is to get the condoms out there.

"A free condom is better than no condom at all," Glickman agrees. This is designed to compete with the Trojan at your local drugstore. It's one of those things that make sense within an individual's needs and budget."

Freshman John Tilliss agrees and says that he would only buy custom-fit condoms "if I was dating someone."

Sophomore [Name Redacted] says he would not buy customized condoms because he does not "think it's worth it."

"It's just as easy to go to Rite-Aid and buy some regular ones... regular ones are stretchy anyway so it's ridiculous," [Redacted] says.

Hingham doesn't see the need for custom-fit condoms because "latex does stretch to fit many sizes." However, just because a condom can stretch to size, doesn't mean it feels good, says Glickman. "I could roll a condom over a watermelon but if I happened to be shaped like a watermelon it wouldn't feel good," he says.

In fact, by the 200th order of "TheyFit Condoms," all 55 sizes had been purchased, showing the remarkable diversity in penis size. Over 85 percent of the customers indicated in a survey by the company say they plan to reorder the condoms again.

Glickman contributes his success to his years spent at the University. He says "the experience at Tufts shaped me and my perspective in a really positive way to be able to pursue this... without the environment at Tufts, I don't think any of this would have happened."

By Sydne Summer

The Internet retailer is offering a new line of condoms in 55 sizes. Condomania's Adam Glickman says the "TheyFit" brand condoms are more comfortable and less likely to tear than other styles.

But just what size would a customer need? TheyFit offers a special measuring tool on the Internet.

But potential customers don't have to worry about being labeled petite or extra small. The measurements are defined by random number and letter combinations, like "J33" or "G22."

"TheyFit" condoms cost about $12 for a dozen.