Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Correlates of Condom-Associated Erection Problems in Young, Heterosexual Men: Condom Fit, Self-Efficacy, Perceptions, and Motivations

  • Brief Report
  • Published:
AIDS and Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Questionnaire data from 479 heterosexual men 18–24 years old were analyzed for correlates of CAEP during application (CAEP-Application) and CAEP during penile-vaginal intercourse (CAEP-PVI). Potential correlates were self-efficacy (condom application, product selection, and maintaining arousal), condom perceptions (condom worry/distraction, negative condom perceptions, concerns about application speed), condom fit, and motivation to use condoms. We conclude that (1) experiencing CAEP may become a repeating cycle, both affecting and being affected by, worry and distraction related to losing erections and maintaining arousal while using a condom (2) poorly fitting condoms may contribute to CAEP, and (3) CAEP may decrease motivation to use condoms.

Resumen

Datos del cuestionario hecho a 479 hombres heterosexuales entre 18 y 24 años fueron analizados para los correlatos de CAEP (problemas de erección asociados al condón) durante la colocación (Colocación -CAEP) y CAEP durante el coito vaginal (CAEP-PVI*). Los correlatos potenciales fueron la auto-eficacia (colocación del preservativo, selección del producto y el mantenimiento de la excitación), la percepción del condón (preocupación/distracción, percepción negativa del condón, preocupación acerca de la velocidad para colocar el condón), el ajuste del condón, y la motivación para usarlo. Concluimos que (1) experimentar CAEP puede convertirse en un ciclo repetitivo, afectando tanto como ser afectado por la preocupación y distracción relacionada a la pérdida de erecciones y el mantenimiento de la excitación durante el uso de un condón (2) condones mal ajustados pueden contribuir a CAEP, y (3) CAEP puede disminuir la motivación para usar condones.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Crosby RA, Sanders SA, Yarber WL, Graham CA. Condom use errors and problems: the neglected aspect of studies assessing condom effectiveness. Am J Prev Med. 2003;24(4):367–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Shlay JC, McClung MW, Patnaik JL, Douglas JM. Comparison of sexually transmitted disease prevalence by reported condom use: errors among consistent condom users seen at an urban sexually transmitted disease clinic. Sex Transm Dis. 2004;31:526–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Sanders SA, Yarber WL, Kaufman EL, Crosby RA, Graham CA, Milhausen RR. Condom use errors and problems: a global view. Sex Health. 2012;9(1):81–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Adam BD, Husbands W, Murray J, Maxwell J. AIDS Optimism, condom fatigue, or self-esteem? explaining unsafe sex among gay and bisexual men. J Sex Res. 2005;42:2238–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Graham CA, Crosby RA, Yarber WL, Sanders SA, McBride KR, Milhausen RR, Arno JN. Erection loss in association with condom use among young men attending a public STI clinic: potential correlates and implications for risk behaviour. Sex Health. 2006;3(4):255–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Richters J, Hendry O, Kippax S. When safe sex isn’t safe. Culture Health, and Sexuality. 2003;5:37–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Warner L, Clay-Warner J, Boles J, Williamson J. Assessing condom use practices: implications for evaluating method and user effectiveness. Sex Transm Dis. 1998;6:273–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Bancroft J, Carnes L, Janssen E, Goodrich D, Long JS. Erectile and ejaculatory problems in gay and heterosexual men. Arch Sex Behav. 2005;34:285–97.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Barlow DH. Causes of sexual dysfunction: the role of anxiety and cognitive interference. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1986;54:140–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Bancroft J. Human sexuality and its problems. 3rd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Milhausen RR, Wood J, Sanders SA, Crosby RA, Yarber WL, Graham CA. A novel, self-guided, home-based intervention to promote condom use. J Men’s Health. 2011;8(4):274–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Crosby RA, DiClemente RJ, Charnigo R, Snow G, Troutman A. A brief, clinic-based, safer sex intervention for heterosexual African American men newly diagnosed with an STD: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Public Health. 2009;99:S96–103.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Research reported in this publication was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R21 HD 060447 E. Janssen and S.A. Sanders (PIs). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Morrison Hall 313, Bloomington, IN, 47405, USA

    Stephanie A. Sanders, Brandon J. Hill, Richard A. Crosby & Erick Janssen

  2. Department of Gender Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Stephanie A. Sanders & Brandon J. Hill

  3. Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Stephanie A. Sanders & Richard A. Crosby

  4. Department of Health Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA

    Richard A. Crosby

Authors
  1. Stephanie A. Sanders
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Brandon J. Hill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Richard A. Crosby
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Erick Janssen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brandon J. Hill.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sanders, S.A., Hill, B.J., Crosby, R.A. et al. Correlates of Condom-Associated Erection Problems in Young, Heterosexual Men: Condom Fit, Self-Efficacy, Perceptions, and Motivations. AIDS Behav 18, 128–134 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0422-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-013-0422-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation