Kinsey studies reveal holes in condom use

One condom size does not fit all, according to recent pilot studies performed by the Kinsey Institute Condom Use Research Team.

“Historically, condoms have been just one size, and there wasn’t much choice at all relative to size or any kind of innovative design,” William Yarber, Kinsey Institute senior research fellow and CURT member, said. “In the last decade or so, there’s been a lot of options available on the market.”

Many participants in the studies didn’t realize there were so many options, Yarber said.

In 10 years of research, CURT members found prevalent condom use errors and a lack of associated research.

“One of the things that typifies research on condoms is that much of it centers around, ‘Did the person use a condom or not?’ and often that’s as far as the questioning goes,” Stephanie Sanders, Kinsey Institute interim director and CURT member, said. “You could be using a condom, but maybe you’re not using it for the whole time you have intercourse.”

People who use condoms incorrectly are at the same risk for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy as non-users, according to the Kinsey Institute’s research program web page.

In CURT’s pilot studies, researchers constructed an intervention strategy in the form of a take-home kit, which consisted of at least six different condoms and several lubricants. The individuals were then asked to record their daily experiences in terms of what worked best or if any problems occurred.

“You wonder why there hasn’t been any more efforts towards this,” Yarber said. “A lot of the interventions are knowledge-based or attitude-based, but they’re not behavioral.”
Some of the findings were “extremely surprising” to freshman Megan Rohlfing, an environmental major. She guffawed when she read the list.

“It sounds like a very large number of people didn’t know how to use a condom properly,” Rohlfing said. “My high school, they had sex education so they taught you about the importance of using condoms and how to apply them properly.”
To other students, the problems were not such a surprise.

“These are problems that I frequently see when engaging in sex whether I’m applying it or the man is,” Angela Owens, sophomore theater and English major, said.

Owens said a lot of times men will get frustrated and take it off because the condom doesn’t fit right. In the heat of the moment, it’s hard to oppose it, she said.

“So I think it’s a very important issue, and I’m surprised we haven’t made different condom sizes,” Owens said.

It astounded her because of the risk of HIV and STDs if the condom slips or breaks, she said.

CURT’s first pilot study on habits of men having sex with women was published in the Journal of Men’s Health in 2011. The second, on men having sex with men, was accepted for publication in the Journal of American College Health.

“Condoms have gotten a bad reputation for being something that dulls sensation and spoils the mood,” Robin Milhausen, visiting research fellow for Rural Center for HIV/STD Prevention and CURT member, said. “And we really, as a team, don’t believe that has to be the case all the time, but people just need the license to explore, the confidence to explore.”