ONE® Condoms loves to answer your questions regarding protection, sexual health and sexuality, so let’s dive into some commonly asked questions about expiration dates.
Do condoms expire?
Condoms are a Class II medical device under the FDA, and must meet international testing standards. As a medical device, condoms have an expiration date. An expired condom is one where today’s date is past the expiration date listed on the condom. Expired condoms are no longer safe to use to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Where can I find the expiration date on a condom?
Only use condoms that have not expired by checking the date on the wrapper. You can find the expiration date on the back of the condom wrapper. If you’ve ever seen an FC2 internal condom, the expiration date is located on the side fold. On personal lubricants, the expiration date is typically on the back or bottom of the lube bottle.
How long do condoms last?
When it comes to the condom shelf life, most latex condoms last for 5 years from the date of manufacture. Over time, the lubricant on the condom wrapper starts to dry and can make the condom brittle (causing breakage). Fun fact: Most condoms are lubricated with medical grade silicone (instead of a water-based lubricant formula) because silicone lasts longer, helping extend the life of the condom.
How do I know if my condom has expired and is no longer effective?
First, check the expiration date on the condom. Then check the wrapper for any holes or tears. A hole could indicate something could have punctured the condom, and a tear could mean air has gotten into the wrapper and started to dry out the condom.
When you open the condom and take it out of the wrapper, do a visual check. Signs a condom is expired include the condom looks brittle or dry.
Condoms are most effective when they aren’t expired and don’t have any damage – this is one way to make sure you’re getting the best possible protection. Expired condom risks include that the condom could break during use, making you and your partner more at risk for unintended pregnancy and/or transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
Can you use a condom after its expiration date?
Our best advice is never use condoms that are expired. Either get a new condom that has not expired from your condom stash, or postpone sexual activity until you can get a fresh, unexpired condom.
As a condom company, we can only recommend using condoms that are not expired. In practicality, condoms could in theory be effective for some time after the expiration date on the wrapper. So, if you only have an expired condom, it is better to use an expired condom than no condom at all. In that case, make sure the condom is not brittle and the lubricant on the condom has not dried. Use additional lubricant as well. But again, it is ALWAYS best to use a condom that has not expired.
Does storing condoms in a wallet affect expiration? How can I keep my condoms safe?
Keep your condoms safe to help ensure they stay effective. Some condom storage tips include:
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To ensure your condoms do not become dry and brittle – and stay safe until the condom expiration date – store your condoms in a cool, dry place.
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Avoid keeping them in your back pocket, wallet, or loose in a purse – avoid places where condoms experience a lot of friction or are prone to tears or being poked by a pen or other object.
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Condoms can withstand higher temperatures for a period of time, for example when they are in transit in the mail. But do not keep condoms in the heat for extended amounts of time, and avoid keeping them in direct sunlight.
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Get a condom carrying case, such as this ONE® Carrying Case! You can even get your own logo or art printed on these condom cases through the Custom Condoms® website. A condom case helps ensure the condom is not poked by pens or other sharp objects - and that friction doesn't cause tears in the wrapper.
Check out more condom tips on the CDC website.
Do personal lubricants have an expiration date?
Lubricants used to be classified as cosmetics. However, personal lubricants are now also regulated as a medical device through the FDA, and therefore go through a lot of safety testing and have an expiration date. Depending on the lubricant formula, personal lubricants last for three to five years from the date of manufacture. For example, our Oasis® water-based lubricant and Oasis Silk® hybrid lubricant formulas have a 3 year expiration date, and our Move® silicone lubricant has a 5 year expiration date. The lubricant expiration date is shown on the bottom or the side of the bottle.
Do stores sell expired condoms or lubricants?
Retail stores should not sell condom or lubricant products that are expired. However, make sure you check the expiration date on the product before you bring it to the cash register either way. At ONE® Condoms, we take the quality of our products seriously. When you order from onecondoms.com, you will not receive products that are expired. If you order our products from Amazon, make sure you check that they are shipped and sold by ONE® Condoms - meaning they come from us to you.
Fun fact: Did you know select ONE® products are available in stores? Select Walmart & Walgreens stores sell ONE® Flex® condoms and the ONE® Move® 3.38oz silicone lubricant. CVS stores sell the MyONE® Custom Fit® Snug Quick Sampler, the MyONE® Custom Fit® Snug 10-count, and ONE® Move® 3.38oz silicone lubricant. Or you can even Door Dash ONE Move silicone lubricant straight to you!