Condoms with Expiration Date
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Do condoms expire?

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Condoms are one of the greatest inventions in the world of sexual health, serving multiple purposes beyond pregnancy prevention. Condoms act as a reliable barrier against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and can assist with premature ejaculation management. Even more, condoms can enhance sexual pleasure with a variety of textures, lubricants, and materials that suit different sexual preferences. Condoms are awesome! So, what’s the catch? Well, much like your hookup or situationship, condoms come with an expiration date. “Do condoms actually expire?” you might be asking. Literally yes, they do. And their expiration date is crucial to ensuring their effectiveness. Expired condoms can become brittle, lose their elasticity, and are more prone to breakage—which, at that point, is it really even a condom anymore if it can’t do the one thing it’s made to do? 

If you’re invested in safe and pleasurable sex, read on to learn all things expired condoms! Why do condoms expire? How do you check a condom’s expiration date? What’s the best way to store condoms? And, what to do if you’ve used an expired condom.

Why do condoms expire?

Condoms expire because of the materials they are made from, and those materials also dictate when a condom expires. Both latex and polyurethane condoms without spermicide have a shelf life of up to 5 years. However, latex and polyurethane condoms with spermicide expire after 3 years. This is because spermicide degrades the durability of the condom’s material, lessening its effectiveness. Also, the chemicals in spermicide can break down over time, so using an expired spermicide condom can cause irritation and a burning sensation in and around the penis, vagina, anus, or wherever the condom has had close contact.

Condoms made with polyisoprene—a type of artificial rubber—expire after 3 years, and lambskin or sheepskin condoms are good for up to one year. (Heads up, natural materials like lambskin and sheepskin do not provide protection from STIs regardless of expiration.)

Improper storage can also cause condoms to expire. It’s important to keep condoms in a cool, dry place because heat and humidity can break down the material of both the condom and its wrapper, making the condom less effective even before it’s expired.

How do you check a condom’s expiration date?

Where a condom’s expiration date lives depends on the brand, but a “use before” or expiration date should appear stamped somewhere on the outer packaging.

The expiration date is usually along the seam where the packaging has been sealed. That way the machine doesn’t risk actually damaging the condom itself when stamping the expiration date on it. Expiration dates should also appear on the box the condom came in. 

Can’t find your condom’s expiration date? Find another condom!

How can you tell if a condom is expired?

As mentioned, it’s not just the expiration date that dictates if a condom expires. It can also degrade from being stored improperly. Do not use a condom that is dry, brittle, sticky, has holes or tears, or has a foul odor. If you open a condom and it exhibits any of those traits, consider it ineffective and get a new condom.

How should you store a condom?

All this talk about condom storage relating to their efficacy! So what’s the best way to store condoms in order to ensure they won’t degrade? 

Condoms should be stored in a cool, dry place like a nightstand or dresser drawer. It’s not recommended to store condoms in the bathroom or your car because they can be affected by the heat and humidity. It’s also not recommended to keep condoms in your wallet because they might get damaged from all the movement and friction.

Can I use an expired condom?

So we’ve finally arrived at this question. You already know not to use an expired condom, but here we are asking anyway. In theory, you could use an expired condom, but it’s not recommended—by us or experts! We know you know the risks of using an expired condom. It could break, which affects its ability to be a barrier against pregnancy and STIs.

Planned Parenthood states that an expired condom is better than no condom at all, but remember: only unexpired condoms that have been stored properly and are used perfectly have a 98% efficacy rate at preventing pregnancy and the spread of STIs. Stay safe, stay protected.

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