How Long Does a Condom Last?

When it comes to using condoms, many people fail to realize they don’t last forever. So, how long does a condom last? It can vary. Whether you’re purchasing a pack or find one in your drawer, it’s important to know how long condoms stay effective by checking the expiration date for safe sex. In this blog, we’ll explore how long condoms last, how to check expiration dates, and more.

What is an Expired Condom?

Just like food and medication have expiration dates, condoms have expiration dates, too. An expired condom is a condom that’s past its expiration date, which is listed on the packaging. Expired condoms can lose their strength, flexibility, and effectiveness, which can cause them to break or tear, leading to a higher risk of STIs or pregnancy.

Where is the Expiration Date?

Each condom has a listed expiration date, determined based on its date of manufacture, material, and more. You’ll typically find a condom’s expiration date along the edge of its packaging. Every individual condom should have an expiration date printed on the outside. If you can’t find the expiration date, it’s best to throw that condom away.

How Long Does a Condom Last?

So, how long does a condom last? Condoms can have different lifespans based on their materials. Generally speaking, you can expect condoms to last the following lengths of time:¹

Latex condoms without spermicide: Up to 5 years
Latex condoms with spermicide: Up to 3 years
Polyurethane condoms without spermicide: Up to 5 years
Polyurethane condoms with spermicide: Up to 3 years
Polyisoprene condoms: Up to 3 years
Lambskin condoms: Up to 1 year
Sheepskin condoms: Up to 1 year

Keep in mind that these are general estimates. You should always follow the expiration date listed on each condom’s packaging to determine how long that condom will last. If you come across an expired condom, don’t use it. Find another condom to use or explore one of the many ways to experience sexual pleasure without penetration.

What Happens if You Use an Expired Condom?

Why do condoms break, and what happens if you use expired condoms? One of the top reasons condoms break is that they’re used after their expiration date. Over time, a condom’s material degrades. The addition of spermicide to condoms can cause their material to degrade more quickly, as can exposing your condoms to hot temperatures, direct sun, or a lot of wear and tear.

As condoms degrade, they become drier, brittle, and less elastic. If you use one past its expiration date, your condom may break during sex and put you at risk of accidental pregnancy or STIs.

Why You Should Avoid Expired Condoms

You should avoid expired condoms for several reasons. To start, they lose their effectiveness over time, making them more likely to tear, slip off, or fail to provide the protection needed to reduce the spread of STIs or pregnancy. Additionally, expired condoms can result in a deteriorated texture, becoming dry, sticky, or brittle, resulting in an unpleasant experience. There are many reasons to wear a condom, so make sure they’re always used within their shelf life for the ultimate protection.

Conclusion

When a condom expires, it becomes much less effective at preventing pregnancy or the transfer of STIs. Expired condoms are much more likely to break during sex. To practice the safest sex possible, check the expiration date of your condom every time. If the condom is expired or the expiration date isn’t visible, throw it away and get a new one.

For the best selection of condoms, shop Durex. We carry a range of latex and non-latex condoms, as well as ribbed and dotted condoms for extra sensation and ultra-thin condoms that feel like nothing’s there. Shop condoms from Durex today.