High school health teachers may tell their students that when a boy tells a girl that sex with a condom “doesn’t feel good,” they shouldn’t let it be an excuse for unprotected sex. But when nearly half of men in a recent University of Kentucky study stated discomfort due to condoms, there’s no doubt this is a common problem.

According to the study, 195 out of 436 men reported an ill-fitting condom during their last sexual encounter.

Poor-fitting condoms can lead to numerous undesired consequences; men are twice as likely to take the condom off mid-sex due to discomfort.

Of those who reported an ill-fitting condom, 120 said the condom reduced their own sexual pleasure, and 57 said pleasure was reduced for their partner as well. Eighteen men also reported that the condom broke during intercourse.

Although condoms aren’t quite the most exciting part of sex, there are ways to make things easier so that the moment can be more enjoyable.

Heidi Thirer, a Binghamton University health and physical education professor specializing in human sexuality, said choosing a condom should be a process of trial and error.

“People need to experiment with different condoms to find one that is comfortable,” Thirer said. “It should be apparent that one condom or brand isn’t going to be comfortable for everyone, but there are different lengths and widths.”

If standard types of condoms don’t work out, there are still other options.

“The female condom is a great alternative,” Thirer said. “Many couples feel it’s more pleasurable, though it is more expensive.”

Sophomore human development major Brittany agreed condoms can be uncomfortable but are better than the alternative.

“I’m personally not a big fan of condoms, but they’re probably more comfortable than carrying a baby for nine months,” Brittany said.

When condoms are used correctly, they are about 98 percent effective in preventing pregnancy and the transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and C, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Condoms are effective in preventing these diseases that are transmitted by genital secretions.

Without the protection of a condom, people are at high risk for these diseases. Even with the use of a condom, people are able to contract herpes or HPV — human papillomavirus — since they are spread from skin to skin contact.

“For many couples, condoms aren’t as pleasurable as not using them, but it certainly is more pleasurable than getting infected with an STD,” Thirer said.

She also warns students of casual sex partners who say condoms aren’t necessary. Instead of feeling reassured, you should wonder how many people they have said that to.

“If they are willing to have unprotected sex, or even protected sex, with you after a casual encounter, think of how many other people they have been so willing to have sex with,” Thirer said.

With all this in mind, it’s best to find the condom that is right for you. It may take a while to find the perfect size, but it will be worth it in the end.

“Sex without condoms always feels much better, but it’s not worth the risk to do it without one,” sophomore sociology major Ben Lukens said. “And if you’re doing it right, sex will feel good no matter what.”