Understanding Problems with Condom Fit and Feel: An Important Opportunity for Improving Clinic-Based Safer Sex Programs

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences and other demographic correlates of condom fit and feel problems among a diverse sample of adult condom users and to examine men’s and women’s perceptions and experiences with condom fit and feel problems. Participants were recruited from an electronic mailing list. The analytic sample (N = 949) included self-identified heterosexual men (n = 771) and women (n = 178) who reported using condoms for penile–vaginal or penile–anal intercourse in the past 3 months. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were applied. Of the sample, 38.3 % reported experiencing at least one condom fit or feel problem. Problems with condom fit during sex did not differ significantly by gender (p = .73). Perceptions of specific condom use problems were organized into five themes: (1) decreased sensation, (2) lack of naturalness, (3) condom size complaints, (4) decreased pleasure, and (5) pain and discomfort. In this diverse sample, there was a high prevalence of condom fit and feel issues among women as well as men. These issues, mostly focused on loss of pleasure, represent a substantial public health problem and thus warrant attention in safer sex programs.