An academic study of the correlation between penis size and condom usage among gay and bisexual men to be published in full next year has found that the larger a man’s penis, the less likely they are to use a condom.

The study, ‘Self-reported penis size and experiences with condoms among gay and bisexual men’ will be published in the February 2013 issue of Archives of Sexual Behavior.

It used data collected from men who have sex with men by Hunter College’s Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training (CHEST) at large scale community events in New York.

The findings suggest that the distribution of ‘one-size fits all’ condoms on the gay scene may well be counterproductive. The findings showed that:-

Close to half of men reported condom slippage during sex

Almost one third reported condom breakage in the past three months

Some men said they had unprotected sex because they couldn’t find condoms that fit

A minority, 40% did report that they didn’t have a problem finding condoms to suit their penis length or girth

Dr Jeffrey Parsons, CHEST’s director, said: “This type of public health research is very important, no matter how politically volatile. Studies like this allow us to better understand sexual health and risk so that we can address effectively the health needs of gay and bisexual men.”

Christian Grov, one the reports authors and associate professor of health sciences at the City University of New York said: :These findings indicate that the fit of a condom matters,. client at an HIV service agency might see a bowl filled with ‘standard’ condoms and have to ask a provider if they have other sizes available. That extra step could make the difference between someone leaving with a condom—the right condom—or going home empty handed.”

Although there are now a number of ‘extra-large’ sized condoms on the market, Professor Grov said that they are not readily available on the scene or from health centres for free. Despite this, NYC’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said it has increased the variety of condoms being distributed.

In the UK, most gay clubs and bars distribute free condoms, primarily funded by local NHS (National Health Services) Foundation Trusts. However, in almost all cases, there is only one size available.

Last year, the United States government came under fire for funding a study into how the size of a gay man’s penis size impacts on his sex life and general well-being with particular focus on whether penis size results in the someone being a ‘top’ or a ‘bottom’.