Do Condoms Expire? What to Know About Safety, Storage, and More, According to Sex Experts

YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL sex ed teacher wasn’t lying to you: Condoms are one of the best ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies.

Whether you’ve been with your partner for years or you’re sleeping with someone new, there’s always benefits to wrapping it up. But, believe it or not, condoms can expire. When they do, they’re more susceptible to breakage, which is bad news for the bedroom.

So, if you’ve had the same pack in your nightstand for years, it’s time to refresh your stash STAT. Ahead, sex experts explain what happens when you use an expired condom, the average condom’s shelf life, where to find the expiration date, and more.

Can I use an expired condom?

I MEAN, YOU can—but you won’t be pleased with the results.

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, fingering, oral sex, and other forms of sexual outercourse.

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.

Same is true for sex toys, BTW. If you’re using a toy 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. But you shouldn’t use an expired condom for that, either.

That’s because sanitary products (including condoms) grow bacteria over time, says Michael Ingber, M.D., a urologist and urogynecologist at Garden State Urology. So, using an expired condom, even on a sex toy, can increase your risk of infections down there.

What should I do if I accidentally use an expired condom?

HEY, IT HAPPENS. The good news: It’s still better to use an expired condom than no condom at all, says 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 adds.

Also worth noting: 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, says Tribby. (More guidance on storage below.) “It’s kind of like expired food,” she explains. “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.”

How long do condoms take to expire?

A CONDOM’S SHELF life depends on its ingredients, says 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: The synthetic version of latex condoms—for people with latex allergies—also last about four to five years.
• Polyurethane condoms: Made from a type of plastic and usually thinner for pleasure, this type of condom also typically has an expiration date between four and five years. But Brahmbhatt warns that they can be less elastic, meaning they may break more easily.
• Lambskin condoms: Another non-latex option, these condoms are made from the intestinal membranes of lambs. They’re less popular because they only protect against unwanted pregnancy, not STIs. They also have a shorter expiration date, between two and three years.

How should I store condoms?

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, says Ingber.

“You should avoid storing them in your wallet, car glovebox, or bathroom where you take hot showers,” Brahmbhatt adds, 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 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!)

The bottom line? Don’t use an expired condom if you can avoid it—and always store your condoms correctly.