A Swedish youth health clinic, serving people up to the age of 23, made headlines in 2015 for handing out measuring tape designed to measure the male organ. While at first this seems like an alarming perpetuation of men’s preoccupation with their male organ size, the tape is not made to measure length of the manhood, but circumference. Why? So men get barrier size right. Safe sensual activity is crucial for male organ health, but throwing on any random protection that’s lying around may not be sufficient to protect against the spread of infections or unwanted pregnancy. Learn more about why, and how to get properly sized barriers, below.

Size and Slippage

Barriers are about 98% effective at preventing pregnancy – when used correctly. Unfortunately barrier use errors are common, including inadequate lubrication, failing to look for damage, improper storage and putting them on inside out. But one mistake men might not realize they’re making is wearing barriers that are either too big or too small. Barriers are more likely to slip off or break if they are not the right size for a man’s member, exposing both partners to possible infection, and the female to possible pregnancy.

The SIECUS reports that barriers slip down the male organ exposing part of the shaft 13.1% of the time, and they fall off completely 5.4% of the time. The Indian Council of Medical Research conducted a study which suggested that as many as 1 in 5 barriers don’t work because they are not the correct size for the men wearing them.

Circumference

Men who are aware that barrier size matters likely think that the appropriate size of the protectors is based on male organ length, but this is a misconception. A man with a long, slender male organ may need regular-sized or snug barriers, whereas a man with a shorter but thicker member may need the large variety.

The Right Fit

Men can use the following guidelines to get an idea of the type of barrier they should be using:

• Male organ girth below 4.7 inches = snug fit
• Male organ girth between 4.7 and 5.1 inches = regular
• Male organ girth above 5.1 inches = large

Additional Safety Tips

There are many ways barriers can break. One of the most common is inadequate lubrication, which exposes the barrier to enough friction sometimes to break it. Having a quality lubricant on hand in case natural wetness wears out is always a good idea. Note: Oil-based lubricants (such as Vaseline and baby oil) cannot be used in conjunction with latex barriers.

Check the barrier for damage before use, including the rapper. A puncture in the packaging could indicate a hole in the barrier.

Leave room at the reservoir tip so that the barrier doesn’t break when a man releases.

Smooth out air bubbles along the shaft before having sensual activity.

Healthy Organ, Happy Organ

Keeping the male organ healthy is vital to a man’s sensual life along with his overall physical and emotional wellbeing. Practicing safe sensual activity is not the only thing a man can do to keep his member in peak condition. Using a quality male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can do wonders for the look and feel of the male organ. Shea butter and vitamin E provide moisture to skin that may become dry and chafed from the frictions of coupling, self-pleasure and clothing. Man1 Man Oil also contains vitamin A, which, as an antibacterial agent, helps fight male organ odors. Healthy skin that is free of unnatural odors makes the manhood more appealing to partners and more pleasurable for the man himself, since skin condition is linked with a man’s ability to sense stimuli. Men can love what they’ve got a little better with proper skin care.

Visit http://www.menshealthfirst.com for additional information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving organ sensitivity and what to do to maintain a healthy manhood. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous websites.