Is it normal for condoms to slip a little?

Finding the perfect condom size is hard, especially when you lack experience and don’t know how a condom should fit. If your penis is on the smaller side and you’ve been led to believe that regular size condoms are universal, wondering whether the condom should slip a little is legit.

So, before discussing sizes and which kind of condom is right for you, let’s have a word on condom fitting.

According to sexual healthcare specialists, condoms are supposed to be tight but not uncomfortable. Getting back to the original question, the answer is no. It is not normal for condoms to slip a little – that is, if you’re wearing the right size condom and your penis is fully erect.

Women are less interested in penis size than men are

Due to society leading to believe that size matters, it is surprising how many men buy a larger size condom just to prove to their partner they have been gifted in that department. That said, research says that women are much less interested in the penis size than men – in a study from the University of Sheffield, Professor Wylie, a sexual medicine consultant, concluded that 85% of women are perfectly happy with their partners’ size even if the dimensions are on the lower side.

What matters is for you to pay attention to her needs and desires rather than displaying a long shaft. And among those needs, is to use the right size condom so that you prevent pregnancy and limit the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

How to determine what condom size I need?

The first step is to measure your penis. Condom manufacturers know each man is unique, so you have quite a few options to consider once you’ve determined your own size.

To measure the length:

To measure girth:

Because most brands make their condoms longer than necessary, measuring the girth and figuring out what nominal width the condom should have is much more important than focusing on the length.

What size are extra small condoms?

Extra small condoms can vary in size from around 43mm of nominal width to 49mm. Small condoms in the UK and Europe usually have a nominal width between 45mm and 49mm. That said, there are quite a few brands and condom styles that you can choose from:

Product name Nominal width Length Thickness Material Lubrication Texture
My.Size 45mm 45mm 160mm 0.050mm Natural rubber latex Silicone Smooth
My.Size 47mm 47mm 160mm 0.050mm Natural rubber latex Silicone Smooth
My.Size 49mm 49mm 160mm 0.050mm Natural rubber latex Silicone Smooth
Glyde Slim Fit 49mm 170mm 0.062mm Natural rubber latex Silicone Smooth
Glyde Slim Fit Red 49mm 170mm 0.062mm Natural rubber latex Silicone Smooth, red colour
Glyde Slim Fit Strawberry 49mm 170mm 0.062mm Natural rubber latex Silicone, strawberry flavoured Smooth, red colour
Pasante Trim 49mm 180mm 0.070mm Natural rubber latex Silicone Smooth
EXS Snug Fit 49mm 166mm 0.073mm Natural rubber latex Silicone Smooth
ON Little Tiger 49mm 170mm 0.070mm Natural rubber latex Silicone Smooth

 

Why does the condom slip off if I use a right size condom?

Condoms rarely slip off if you’re using the right size. That said, using your condom the wrong way may also result in it slipping off or breaking during intercourse. Here are some of the most common causes.

You’re not putting the condom on correctly

Rolling on the condom on the wrong side, not rolling it all the way down to the base of your penis, or putting on the condom before your penis is fully erect may all result in the condom slipping off during intercourse. The condom can also slip off when you’re withdrawing from your partner if you don’t hold the condom or wait until your penis goes limp before withdrawing. To prevent all this, you should:

You’re using too much lube inside the condom

Most condoms come pre-lubricated. Yet, many people find they prefer slightly more lubrication, especially inside the condom. However, if you use more than one or two drops of lube inside the condom and apply it on the condom’s shaft rather than only at the tip, things can get too slippery, and the condom could slide off. So, if you really want to add extra lube inside the condom, make sure you only use a small quantity of product.

You may have partially lost your erection

Losing an erection whilst having sex is very common, especially in circumstances when you’re focusing more on your partner than yourself. However, if this happens, you should withdraw immediately and bin the condom. Indulge in foreplay until you’re hard again, then roll on a new condom before intercourse.

The condom may slip off due to your position

Although this situation is rather rare, the condom may slip off when having sex in certain positions. If you feel it sliding off, switch to another position. In the future, avoid those positions that may cause the condom to slip off.

What can happen if the condom slips off before ejaculation?

If a condom slips off inside your partner, it leaves both of you exposed to a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections whilst also increasing the risk of unwanted pregnancy.

If you are in a monogamous relationship (you only have sex with one other person, and your partner only has sex with you), and you have both been tested and resulted negative for sexually transmitted infections, there is no elevated risk of STI. However, if you, your partner, or both have sex with other people, too, you should consult your doctor and get tested for STIs as soon as possible.

If you’re using condoms for contraception rather than protection from infections (for instance, if you’re in a monogamous relationship and your partner doesn’t use any form of hormonal contraception, such as the pill, contraceptive patch, injection, or intrauterine device), there is a higher risk of pregnancy even if you have not yet ejaculated.

What to do if the condom slips off

Indeed, the condom may already be contaminated with seminal fluids that contain sperm, and that could work their way into the womb. Thus, if the condom slipped off or broke during intercourse and you haven’t used another form of contraception, you should consult your doctor and get emergency contraception (the morning after pill).

How can I tell if my condom broke during intercourse?

Another frequent question you may ask yourself is whether you can tell if the condom broke during intercourse.

Typically, you can. In most cases, you will notice a change in sensations when the condom breaks. If this happens, you should withdraw immediately, dispose of the condom, and seek medical help for emergency contraception and STI testing.

Keep in mind that your partner will unlikely notice any differences, so it is solely your responsibility to pay attention.

In rare cases, you won’t be able to tell if the condom broke during intercourse. That’s why it is important to inspect the condom before throwing it in the bin. If you notice any leaks or fissures, assume that the condom broke during intercourse and seek specialist help.

What condom should I use if I am allergic to latex?

Whilst non-latex condoms exist – made of either polyurethane or polyisoprene – you may find that most non-latex condoms have a regular or large size. Extra small non latex condoms are a rarity, so you’ll have to use an alternative if you need a small size condom, but you or your partner are allergic to latex. Here are a few options:

If you or your partner are allergic to latex, remember that all alternative methods except female condoms are more effective if you use additional spermicide. However, keep in mind that spermicide can irritate your penis or vagina, and it can also increase the risk of urinary tract infections in women. For these reasons, using female condoms without spermicide lube is your best bet if you can’t find latex-free male condoms of the right size.

If your partner is allergic to latex and she decides to use a female condom, avoid using both types of condoms at the same time to prevent condom breakage.

Where can I buy extra small condoms?

You can buy extra small condoms right here at Condoms.uk. We have a wide selection of small condoms, including coloured and flavoured condoms. All our products are sourced directly from brands or their official suppliers in the UK and come in packaging marked with the CE and/or BSI Kitemark. Browse our selection now to find the right condoms for you.

What is the smallest size of condoms?

While you might have seen joke condoms and mini condoms the size of thimbles, the smallest size of condoms that have been manufactured as genuine condoms is 45mm in nominal width. We sell MY.SIZE Pro 45mm condoms, which offer a snug fit.

Are smaller condoms better?

The most important aspect of choosing your condom size is to choose the right fit for you. A condom that is too loose is likely to slip off but one that is too small will be uncomfortable and will have a higher chance of splitting. Use our condom measuring guide to make sure you get the right size condom.