TheyFit

TheyFit is a brand of condoms sold in Europe. The brand is unique in being a range of custom fitted condoms, as opposed to traditional one-size-fits-all. The company draws on the analogy of custom fit shoes and clothing when explaining the benefits of using such an approach with condoms. The range was launched in London on December 7, 2011.^[1]

The range of sizes offered by TheyFit is significantly expanded versus traditional condoms. Traditional condoms vary in length from 178mm to 205mm, whereas TheyFit condom lengths are 80mm to 240mm. Traditional condoms vary in nominal lay flat width, an industry term for the width at the opening of the condom, from 49mm to 56mm whereas TheyFit condom widths are 41mm to 69mm.^[2]

A 2009 medical research paper which looked into the topic of condom fit found nearly 50% of men reported their condom did not fit well. Of these men reporting bad-fitting condoms, they were more likely to report a multitude of problems related to this such as condom breakage; condom slippage; difficulty reaching orgasm (including for their female partner); irritation of the penis; reduced sexual pleasure (including for their female partner); loss of erection; dryness during sex and removal of the condom during intercourse.^[3]

A 2010 medical paper summised multiple studies that identified issues with poor condom fit including a study amongst UK urologists in 1993; a French study in 2003 that found 39% of men complained latex condoms were too small or too large; a 2009 study which found 17% of men complained condoms were too long, 12% as too short, 32% too tight and 10% too loose and an Australian study which examined factors affecting men's like of condoms.^[4]

In 2012 the company presented data at AIDS2012 in Washington D.C that showed when given the choice of an expanded range of sizes, only 1 in 8 men chose condom sizes that were currently approved by the American Society for Testing Methods (ASTM).^[5] The official AIDS2012 literature expanded further on the company's initial sales data, revealing that for the first 250 packs sold, 174 individuals from 11 countries had made a purchase; each of the 12 widths and 14 lengths had been sold; 61 of the 95 unique sizes had been purchased; and only 12.4% of sales were within the ASTM allowable range of sizes.^[6]

A study in December 2012 found an association between condom breakage and unprotected sex, suggesting that some men may have unprotected sex simply because they cannot find proper fitting condoms. Less than forty percent of those surveyed said it was “easy” to find a condom that fit them. “These findings indicate that the fit of a condom matters,” said Dr. Christian Grov, the study author. “A 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.”^[7]

TheyFit condoms come in 95 different sizes.^[8] Men are required to download a fitting kit, called a FitKit, to find which size out of the 95 will fit them the best.^[9] The FitKit serves a secondary purpose that being to provide men a random code for their size rather than terms like small, medium and large.^[10]

The idea for TheyFit came from an American called Frank Sadlo, who filed the original patents also.^[10] The company offer their range of condoms in all EU countries but not yet in the US owing to the necessary U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permission not yet being received.^[11]

The TheyFit production facility produces more than 1 billion condoms per year.^[12]

The company was sold to Malaysian condom manufacturer Karex for $1.3mm in January 2016.^[13]

References