CONDOMS ARE ONE of the best ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies.
But if you've been carrying around the same condom in your wallet for longer than you can remember, you might want to think twice before using it—because yes, condoms do expire.
Can I use an expired condom?
You should never use an expired condom—at least, not if you want it to stay intact and work properly. Before you have sex, remember to check the expiration date on the condom. Most condoms have an expiration date on the wrapper, typically on the backside. (If you can't find an expiration date listed anywhere on the wrapper, we don't recommend using it.) If you discover the condom is expired, don't use it! Instead, find one that isn't. Or stick to making out.
Note: Condoms sometimes get damaged before the expiration date, so you shouldn’t rely on the date alone to know if it's safe to use. Inspect the condom when you take it out of the wrapper (subtly—you don’t want to ruin the mood by raising the condom to the light and expecting it like a jeweler checking to see if a diamond is real.) If you open a condom and it feels dry, has a foul odor, or you see any holes, don’t use it. Throw it out and get a new one.
How long do condoms last before they expire?
A condom's shelf life depends on its ingredients, explains Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD, a urologist at Orlando Health. (Remember, there are various kinds of condoms on the market, including organic and vegan condoms.) Here's what to know about the expiration dates of four major types of condoms.
Latex condoms, the gold standard of condoms, typically last from four to five years. However, if the latex condoms contain spermicidal lubricants, their shelf life may be shorter.
Polyisoprene condoms, a synthetic version of latex for people with latex allergies, also last about four to five years.
Polyurethane condoms also typically have an expiration date between four and five years. (Polyurethane condoms are made from a type of plastic, usually thinner for pleasure. But Brahmbhatt warns that they can be less elastic.)
Lambskin condoms are made from the intestinal membranes of lambs. They're less popular because they only protect against unwanted pregnancy, and not STIs. They also have a shorter expiration date, between two and three years.
How should I store my condoms?
Besides expiration, improper storage is another reason your condoms may be less effective and more likely to break. Condoms should be stored in cool, dry locations away from direct sunlight, explains Michael Ingber, MD, a urologist and urogynecologist at Garden State Urology.
"You should avoid storing them in your wallet, car glovebox, or bathroom where you take hot showers,” Brahmbhatt says, since all of those places can pretty toasty. Instead, consider keeping them in a drawer next to your bed or a personal handbag.
How should I dispose of expired condoms?
You can just throw them away in the trash. “It's not recommended to flush the condom with or without the wrapper down the toilet, as they can clog up the toilet,” Brahmbhatt says. (Before throwing them away, you might want to wrap them in tissue to be discreet—but that’s up to you!)
Can I used expired condoms on sex toys?
If you're sharing sex toys with one or more partners during the same sex session, it's a good idea to wrap them up to prevent the spread of STIs. You shouldn't use an expired condom for that, either.
That's because sanitary products (including condoms) grow bacteria over time, Ingber says. So, using an expired condom, even on a sex toy, can increase your risk of infections down there.
I accidentally used an expired condom—help!
Hey, it happens. The good news is that it’s better to use an expired condom than no condom at all, explains Kristen Tribby, a certified sex educator at Fun Factory. "If the condom breaks, get tested for STIs, and consider taking Plan B if you are concerned with pregnancy (and have access to it)," she says.
Using an expired condom that's been stored correctly is less concerning than putting on the condom incorrectly, or using a non-expired condom that’s been stored improperly, according to Tribby. “It’s kind of like expired food,” she says. “I would feel more comfortable eating potato salad that has been sitting in the refrigerator for a week versus sitting out at a BBQ all day in the hot sun being handled by twenty different people.”
The bottom line? Don't use an expired condom if you can avoid it—and always store your condoms correctly.
