Why do condoms have expiry dates

Condoms are cheap, easy to use, and easy to buy — and they're one of the only birth control methods that also protects against STIs. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration requires that all condoms have an expiration date — each individual condom should have one printed on its wrapper.

And this date actually means something important. Condoms become less effective after they've passed it. Some condom packages also include a manufacturing date but always use the expiration date when deciding whether a condom is good to use.

Old condoms dry out and are one of the causes of condom breakage. Get in the habit of checking expiration dates on your condoms and always use an unexpired condom every time you have sex. Don't worry, we'll make more. Always check the expiration date on the individual condom package before you use it. If it's past its prime, then it's time to restock - or try a new condom to enhance the pleasure. The All the Feels variety pack lets you experiment with thickness, shape, and features to find a combination that hits your buttons - and your partner's.

Latex condoms are typically good for 5 years from the date of manufacture, while lambskin or spermicidal condoms usually have a 3-year shelf-life. If you're trying to figure out when a condom was made or purchased , subtract 5 years or 3 if it's spermicidal or natural from the expiration date on the package to get a good idea.

Those condoms you found in the bathroom? Yes, you can figure out if they're a recent purchase by looking at the expiration date. If you don't look at the expiration date on your milk carton and accidentally get a mouthful of sour curds, you can just spit it out and brush your teeth.

Using a spermicidal condom after its expiration date may also cause skin irritation. If you don't want to put yourself at risk, keep your condom supply fresh. If you've already used an expired condom and just now realizing it, well, live and learn. Use your eyes and your fingers to inspect a condom before you use it for oral or penetrative sex of any kind. Look closely at the condom packaging and check for the expiration date.

Condoms should be stored in a cool, dry place, such as a drawer in your nightstand or dresser. Storing condoms in these places is not advised, as it can shorten their shelf life and decrease their effectiveness:. While expired condoms should not be used for sexual intercourse, you don't have to throw them out.

Condoms can be handy for other things. One of the best uses of an expired condom is to make sex toy play safer. If you share sex toys with a partner, such as a dildo or a vibrator, you should never pass them from one person to the next without first ensuring the toy is sanitized and free of possible contagions, including fecal matter.

One way to do so is to "glove up" your toys in the same way you would a penis. The expiration date doesn't matter nearly as much when used in this fashion since there is no significant downside to a breakage other than having to clean the toy sooner and more thoroughly.

Swapping out a condom is far easier than having to stop and sanitize a toy that you want to share in the heat of the moment. When using condoms with sex toys, they should be put on the toy before use and discarded and changed between partners. Let's say that you drop your keys in the toilet or need to clean out a really yucky clogged drainpipe. If you find that you neither have a pair of gloves handy nor the time to run out to buy some, you can protect your hands by slipping an expired condom over your hand.

While this may seem silly, it could prove useful in such a time of need. Condoms are far stronger than most people imagine but, if needed for a tough job, you can double-up and use two. Some people will even use them to protect their hands when mixing paints or plaster for art projects or preparing raw beets, which can stain hands. Condoms are meant to provide a water-tight barrier so that fluids cannot enter or leave.

While this in mind, and in a pinch, you may find them useful for everyday situations like needing to protect your cell phone from moisture while on a camping or boating trip. Condoms are extremely elastic and can easily something of that size. Just roll one over the item and tie a knot to seal it. You can also use expired condoms to protect items that may leak e. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.

Got more questions about condoms or condom usage? Head over to our Explore Sex blog and check out our guide to putting on a condom properly. Our guide provides you with 5 simple steps to ensure that your condom usage is as safe as it possibly can be. All articles Article contents Intro. Can condoms expire? Why do condoms expire? How long do condoms last?

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