Here’s the latest information on how to determine the correct size condom for you and how to minimize malfunctioning while testing.

Use these four key steps outlined here and you won’t make the $244,530.00 mistake… that’s how much the United States Government says it costs to raise a child to age 18 - and that’s without college.

Amazingly, there is no world standard when it comes to condom sizes. There is an ISO standard for manufacturing processes, but not sizes.

Even more interesting is the research that has been done to answer the popular and important question

“Which condom fits me properly?”

Yet the answer remains unclear in most condom users’ minds.

According to a study done by British condom manufacturer Durex, 50% of the approximately 3,000 individuals in their study felt that the condoms they used regularly did not fit properly. Fully 35% stated the fit was “too tight” or “much too tight”.

The World Health Organization notes in their study “The Male Latex Condom: Specification and Guidelines for Condom Procurement 2003″ that there are only two major size classifications for condoms, “Wide” or “Narrow”. The data in that study is based on studies in Australia, Thailand and the US. They mention that flat width of 51-54mm is their “Wide” and 47-50mm is their “Narrow”, but 49-53mm is the range of the most common condoms. Study link: http://www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/m_condom/who_specification_04.pdf

At this point, the question “What size am I?” arises.

A large and detailed survey of actual size of men’s private parts has been compiled over several years by Richard Evans of http://www.sizesurvey.com/result.html

Mr. Evans’ study puts the measurement for erect diameter at: 37.43mm (Modest), 40.55mm (Average) and 43.86mm (Endowed).Study data has been converted from circumference to diameter to better relate to the data used in the WHO study and manufacturer sizing cited in this article.

So here’s the problem. If you are of “X” diameter, let’s say for example, 42mm - what size condom should you use?

With no statistical recommendation from manufacturers such as “10mm larger than you measure” and little accurate data regarding actual condom sizes, condom users are completely left unto themselves to determine proper fit.

Here are the four key steps to determining proper condom fit for you and minimizing malfunctions during your testing.

1) When putting the condom on pinch the teat end, then roll it down. That leaves room at the end and any air pressure built up won’t put the condom at the bursting point. Be sure to roll the condom down the correct way - rolling it down inverted won’t work at all. Make sure the condom gets rolled down fully. If not rolled down sufficiently, it could get pulled off during normal activity. Don’t dim the lights too much at this step or you won’t be able to see what you’re doing.

2) Check for overall tightness. If the condom is too loose, slippage may occur. If it is too tight, breakage may occur. According to an Australian La Trobe University study by AMA Smith, breakage often occurs as a result of the condom users’ girth (not length) being too large for the condom design.

If your issue with condoms is typically “They’re too tight”, try larger condoms which are less common but are produced by major manufacturers. These large condoms most likely won’t be in your local drug store, but are available on specialty web sites such as http://biggercondoms.com.

3) Use lubrication - lots of it! Most condoms today are pre lubricated. This is not sufficient lubrication for extended activity. Use only water-based lube with condoms. Oil based lube will cause them to break. Be sure to have plenty handy. Lack of lube is a cause of many a condom rupture.

4) Start your “research” with a variety package. Buy one or two of a wide variety of condoms and make a note of which ones you liked. When you complete your “research” buy your favorite condoms in higher quantities.

Overall, you’re looking for “Not too loose but not too tight.” Seeking this proper fit with proper installation technique, sufficient lubrication and observation during activity as outlined above will likely be the most fun you’ll ever have doing “research”

Copyright 2005 Matthew Biskup

Matthew Biskup is a “formerly frustrated consumer” who built the solution to the problem of finding a selection of larger condoms. For a variety package featuring at least 12 different large condoms and to read more fun articles discussing large condom issues visit Matt’s site http://biggercondoms.com

Menopause is the point in a woman’s life when no more eggs are released from her ovaries and her period or menstrual cycle stops. The medical definition of menopause is no period for at least 12 months that is not due to any underlying medical condition. It is a normal part of the changes a woman’s body goes through as she gets older, and is caused in part by decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones. Menopause is usually a gradual process that takes place sometime after the age of 40. If it happens before 40, it is called premature menopause. The process typically starts with periods becoming shorter and more irregular, gradually leading to a complete cessation of monthly bleeding.

Women’s experiences during menopause vary greatly. Some women experience minimal symptoms, while others may experience many changes. These may include hot flashes, depression or irritability, reduced sexual desire, difficulty controlling the bladder, a racing heart, and difficulty sleeping. Changing hormone levels may cause or speed up the development of osteoporosis, weight gain and vaginal changes. Some women may go through menopause with minimal symptoms, while others make a difficult transition.

While a doctor can usually tell that a woman is going through menopause by the nature of her complaints, menopause can also be diagnosed by a vaginal smear that shows the vagina is thinning and drying. Blood levels of follicle stimulating hormone are highly elevated during menopause and also help to make a diagnosis. Since this is also the age during which breast and uterine cancers are more likely, a doctor may screen women for these cancers.

There are a number of treatments that are available to ease the effects of menopause, including lifestyle modification and hormone replacement therapy. The treatments a doctor recommends will depend on a woman’s symptoms and other conditions that may develop after menopause.

Menopause provides detailed information about menopause, early menopause, male menopause, menopause and osteoporosis and more. Menopause is the sister site of Chronic Insomnia.

Are Gay Smokers at Huge Risk of Dying from Lung Cancer? Well not if the City of Los Angeles has anything to say about the issue. The City of Los Angles, California in the United States of America has started a new program, which will cost about $30,000.00 taxpayer dollars called “The Last Drag” which targets homosexual gay and lesbian smokers. A recent study by the gay and lesbian community revealed a huge finding that homosexuals are twice as likely to smoke than heterosexuals.

No one knows why, but many believe it has to do with societal stress in our civilization and is because so many homophobic, rude and nasty people give them a hard time. It is for this reason that Los Angeles Country Health Officials have a new anti-program for gays and lesbians regarding this smoking issue.

Like Washington D.C., Palm Springs, various enclaves in Massachusetts the gay men and women have a bar scene culture, which allows them to come out of the closet by going to these drinking establishments, where a lot of smoking takes place, it is legal to smoke there. The director of the Gay and Lesbian Center in Los Angeles indicated that this needed to change. Similar programs are also going on in San Francisco in the Gay and Lesbian areas and they have been successful there. The recent study shows that over 30% of homosexuals have the dirty habit, of smoking, yet only 15% of heterosexuals smoked in California. Maybe this will help save lives in Los Angeles? Think on it.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/