Sizing up protection

In the past, condoms have followed a one-size-fits-all approach, but now all that has changed. Tufts graduate and CEO of the specialty condom retailer, Condomania, Adam Glickman (LA '89) revealed a new line of custom-fit condoms called "They-Fit Condoms." According to the company, these sized to fit condoms can decrease sexual risks, such as pregnancy and STDs, and increase pleasure for both partners.

All one has to do is go online to www.condomania.com and download a "Fit Kit" to measure their little friend in question. With 55 different sizes to choose from, there should be an ideal match for everyone, according to Glickman. They can then order their customized condoms and have them shipped directly to their door.

With 55 different sizes to choose from, there should be an ideal match for everyone, according Glickman. They can then order their customized condoms and have them shipped directly to their door.

Glickman began his condom career during his undergraduate years at Tufts. He had always been an entrepreneur and had his own futon company by the time he was a junior. Glickman attended Tufts during the 1980s, when he says it was the "first time there was open debate and discussion about AIDS."

Few people previously considered condoms a necessity, but new fears arose with the growth of the deadly AIDS epidemic, Glickman said. "Short of abstinence to cure the spread of AIDS was the condom," he said.

This increased awareness in safe sex caused Glickman to combine his entrepreneurial skills, with his interests from his psychology and sociology double major, to create "Jumbo Brand Condoms."

"Jumbo Brand Condoms" were typical latex condoms packaged in a matchbook cover with a "Safe Jumbo is a Happy Jumbo" on one side, and a cartoon of the Tufts' mascot on the other. With classmate Davin Wedle (LA '90) Glickman went door to door and ended up selling one thousand condoms for one dollar a piece.

With the success of "Jumbo Brand Condoms," Glickman wrote his senior sociology thesis on condoms before winning the "Montle Prize" for entrepreneurial leadership for his new company "Custom Condoms."

"Custom Condoms," located in Somerville, became highly successful and in 1991, Glickman and Wedle opened "Condomania" in New York City. The following year, "Condomania" became a full time company and split with its parent business. Glickman moved "Condomania" headquarters to Los Angeles while Wedle stayed in Boston with "Custom Condoms," now known as "Global Protection Corporations."

Glickman explains that his company "helps guide people to the best and newest products available." Hence, when Glickman learned of inventor Frank Sadlo's discovery of condoms made to fit each person as closely as possible, he immediately contacted the inventor. Glickman and Sadlo formed a partnership to get customized condoms from production to the marketplace, which resulted in "They-Fit Condoms."

"They-Fit Condoms" address a common fear that men -- and their partners-- have of their condoms breaking or slipping during sexual intercourse. "My friend was so paranoid that after he had sex, he'd take home his condom and fill it with water to see if there were any holes," sophomore Tim Kane said.

Sophomore Matt Ninnemann voiced concern that a condom's size could affect its susceptibility to breakage. "I had a condom break once...there was a lot of friction going on and I think the condom might have been too small," he said.

Medical Director at Tufts Health Services Margaret Hingham disagrees with Glickman's assessment, saying that the "majority of condom breakage is due to misuse."

However, Glickman asserts that in fact size does matter when it comes to condoms. "The number one reason for condom failure beyond misuse is due to a size issue," he said. He points out that condoms that do not fit properly often leave an unrolled ring at base, which can become caught in the male's partner and get pulled off. The ring also can make the condom roll back up, increasing pressure and discomfort. Irritation is also a byproduct of the condom being too tight.

In addition to its protective use, Glickman says that a comfortable condom makes for a more enjoyable experience. And aside from childbirth, enjoyment is the main reason people engage in sex -- thus if it's not comfortable, sex likely will not be enjoyable.

"Once you get a condom that fits right, it's better both physically and mentally," Glickman said. "Anxiety alone can kill the moment."

Despite positive aspects of sized to fit condoms their price deters some college students from actually purchasing them. "They-fit Condoms" are priced at $11.95 per dozen while drugstore condoms range from $6-$12. Furthermore, most college students get their condoms free of charge. "I just go to health services," Ninneman said.

Sophomore, and co-coordinator of LCS's Ses Talk, Allison Patrick stresses the importance of free condoms. Sex Talk hosts events such as Condom Outreach in the campus center where free condoms are offered. Patrick says that although guys can sometimes be hesitant about picking up protection for their precious package, "we have couples who come to stock up." The important thing, according to Patrick, is to get the condoms out there.

"A free condom is better than no condom at all," Glickman agreed. This is designed to compete with the Trojan at your local drugstore. It's one of those things that make sense within an individual's needs and budget."

Freshman John Tilliss agrees and says that he would only buy custom-fit condoms "if I was dating someone."

A sophomore who wishes to remain nameless says he would not buycustomized condoms because he does not "think it's worth it."

"It's just as easy to go to Rite-Aid and buy some regular ones... regular ones are stretchy anyway so it's ridiculous," Babula said.

Hingham doesn't see the need for custom-fit condoms because "latex does stretch to fit many sizes." However, just because a condom can stretch to size, doesn't mean it feels good, says Glickman. "I could roll a condom over a watermelon but if I happened to be shaped like a watermelon it wouldn't feel good," he said.

In fact, by the 200th order of "They-Fit Condoms," all 55 sizes had been purchased, showing the remarkable diversity in penis size. Over 85 percent of the customers indicated in a survey by the company that they planned to reorder the condoms again.

Glickman contributed his success to his years spent at the University. He says "the experience at Tufts shaped me and my perspective in a really positive way to be able to pursue this... without the environment at Tufts, I don't think any of this would have happened."