# condoms were sold in sizes labeled 'extra large', 'large' and .... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 4, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720 "2010-02-04T21:25:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/21 "2010-02-05T08:57:59Z")
Michael Moore had an [episode of TV Nation](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkznvf43IFo) where a guy tries to buy small-sized condoms. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/22 "2010-02-05T09:34:16Z")
At a white elephant exchange about twenty years ago, a buddy of mine received a package of [these](http://www.dailyhaha.com/_pics/small_pecker_condoms.htm). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/23 "2010-02-05T13:25:37Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > At a white elephant exchange about twenty years ago, a buddy of mine received a package of [these](http://www.dailyhaha.com/_pics/small_pecker_condoms.htm). At the extreme opposite end of the spectrum, I’ve seen [Horse condoms](http://unitedvetequine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=51501120&Category_Code=breeding&Product_Count=3) given as “gag” gifts.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/24 "2010-02-05T16:37:35Z")
Just put a rubber band around the base. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/25 "2010-02-05T17:06:35Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > At the extreme opposite end of the spectrum, I’ve seen [Horse condoms](http://unitedvetequine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=51501120&Category_Code=breeding&Product_Count=3) given as “gag” gifts.😃 Are these available in Canada? Assuming that they can stretch a bit, they’re just what I’ve been looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/26 "2010-02-05T17:56:39Z")
This site lists the width and length of each condom in the description – [http://www.condomsexpress.com/](http://www.condomsexpress.com/) Like many items no size listed is usually the smallest, the ‘premium’ condoms seem to be a little larger even though they are not labeled that way. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/27 "2010-02-05T20:00:59Z")
I’m decent sized but not massive and Magnums fit me just fine. I wouldn’t worry too much unless were talking ultra small here. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/28 "2010-02-05T21:38:43Z")
Okay, I hate Texas but, as we all know, everything is bigger in Texas. Q: How does a Texan put on a condom? A: With tire irons. But none of you kids today know what a tire iron is, so it ain’t funny, if it ever was. ---
**Author:** ![Fastidiots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@Fastidiots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fastidiots)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/29 "2010-02-05T21:57:06Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Yes, when inflated by a pump, or stretched by hand. But in use, if it has to stretch a lot, it feels way too tight to be comfortable for people. Apparently, about 1/4 inch of stretching is about as much as customers will accept. At least, that seems to be what manufacturers have decided on as the difference between sizes. Confirmed. I had terrible stamina with regular condoms, but having just slightly bigger condoms made all the difference - though the ones I buy are quite a bit too long. ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/30 "2010-02-06T03:44:40Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > At the extreme opposite end of the spectrum, I’ve seen [Horse condoms](http://unitedvetequine.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=51501120&Category_Code=breeding&Product_Count=3) given as “gag” gifts.😃 One wonders, how and when are these applied? Do the estrussed mare’s pheromones prepare him for it or is forelockplay needed? Does he stand for it, I mean the pre-coital interruption? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2010, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/31 "2010-02-06T05:27:25Z")
> [@Ignatz](#): > > One wonders, how and when are these applied? Do the estrussed mare’s pheromones prepare him for it or is forelockplay needed? Does he stand for it, I mean the pre-coital interruption? Horses are smart. It only takes a couple of breedings before the stallion understands that nothing will happen until this is applied. Soon just getting one of them out of the box and bringing it into his stall is all it takes to get him going. Training is done by rewarding the horse when he does what you want. Rewards don’t come much better than this. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/32 "2010-02-07T18:27:03Z")
^Yep. Stallions learn rapidly. Funniest thing I ever saw though, was a vet tech getting slapped across her face by an erect horse penis. Left a red welt, which was difficult to explain. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/33 "2010-02-09T15:30:34Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Are these available in Canada? Assuming that they can stretch a bit, they’re just what I’ve been looking for. I’m laughing! hh ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/34 "2010-02-09T16:21:03Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > Precisely the reason why I don’t work out my legs in the gym. If my pants are off, _mission: accomplished_! I am totally stealing that. Not that I ever bother working out. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/35 "2010-02-18T22:26:53Z")
I found this news story related to my original question. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35420326/ns/health-mens\_health/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35420326/ns/health-mens_health/) I don’t know if this is a permanent link. In case it is not the headline says "Nearly half of men aged 18 to 67 reported poor fit … " and the lede, I think it is called lede, says "Condoms that do not fit right could break and may reduce sexual pleasure for both partners … " The whole business of size is of no consequence to me but I often see health advice to the affect ‘use condoms’ but I never see anything more specific advised. ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/36 "2010-03-17T20:56:45Z")
A related news story: “Extra small condoms for 12 year-old boys go on sale in Switzerland” [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7361181/Extra-small-condoms-for-12-year-old-boys-go-on-sale-in-Switzerland.html](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7361181/Extra-small-condoms-for-12-year-old-boys-go-on-sale-in-Switzerland.html) ---
**Author:** ![Claude\_Remains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/37 "2010-03-18T05:18:54Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Are these available in Canada? Assuming that they can stretch a bit, they’re just what I’ve been looking for. Is Howie Mandel day just around the corner up there? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/38 "2010-03-18T12:35:13Z")
The product of **janeslogin** is just what the op was asking for. From the link > [@](#): > > A standard condom has a diameter of 2ins (5.2cm) in comparison with the Hotshot’s diameter of 1.7ins (4.5cm). Both are the same length – 7.4ins (19cm). I heard a radio report about them and the spokesperson for the company was stating that their target market includes the adult population for whom standard condoms are too loose, again emphasizing that it is a diameter issue. He may also want to buy “standard” sized condoms in Japan, which do run smaller. Enough so that manufacturers there have decided to [bring in American sized condoms](http://articles.latimes.com/1994-08-23/news/wr-30288_1_birth-control?pg=3) in response to complaints that they run too small. > [@](#): > > Okamoto is also putting out new products. A year or two ago, it responded to complaints that the condoms were too tight and introduced in the Japanese market the same diameter it sells in America with the catch phrase: “Your boy these days is big.” ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/39 "2010-03-18T13:26:49Z")
A [source](http://rushbee.com/en_4_cat121_product5481.htm) for ordering Japanese condoms. Diameter 32mm, may fit the “leaner” male even better than “the Hotshot” with its 45mm diameter and certainly than the standard American/EU 52mm diameter one. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2010, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720/40 "2010-03-20T09:23:51Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Buy Japanese condoms. I’ve found that are sized…snugly compared to American brands. Only tried one brand before I switched back to the ones I brought from home, but indeed, it was tighter than comfort. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condoms-were-sold-in-sizes-labeled-extra-large-large-and/527720.md?page=3)