Condoms are one of the fashionable strategies of contraception and STI prevention worldwide. Nevertheless, do you know that their effectiveness will depend on a number of components, together with expiration dates and storage situations?
Opposite to fashionable perception, expiration dates of condoms aren’t a advertising and marketing gimmick. Similar to every other medical product, they’ve a restricted shelf life. “Over time, the latex or polyurethane materials weakens and loses flexibility, which makes it extra vulnerable to breakage,” explains Dr Prashant Jain, Affiliate Director of Urology at PSRI Hospital.
“Expiry dates are there to maintain you protected. It’s not value playing along with your well being for the sake of comfort,” he additional cautions.
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What occurs if you happen to use an expired condom?
Expired condoms can develop micro-tears or tiny cracks which might be invisible to the attention. Even when they appear high-quality, they is probably not protected. “These small tears can permit semen or infectious brokers to cross by means of,” explains Dr Jain. “That instantly will increase the danger of each being pregnant and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).” So as soon as a condom is previous its expiration date, it merely can’t be trusted.
Does it nonetheless shield in opposition to STIs and being pregnant?
An expired condom’s structural energy is compromised. “It affords diminished safety in opposition to each being pregnant and STIs,” Dr Jain factors out. “That makes it unsafe to be used, no matter how intact it might seem.” Briefly, an expired condom doesn’t shield in opposition to being pregnant and sexually transmitted infections.
Can condoms expire even earlier than the printed date?
One shocking truth, Dr Jain notes, is that condoms can generally “expire” even earlier than the printed date if they’re saved poorly. Wallets, purses, glove compartments, or automotive dashboards are a number of the worst locations to maintain them. “Warmth, friction, and daylight all harm latex,” he explains. “Carrying a condom in your pockets for months would possibly imply it fails lengthy earlier than its labelled expiry.” So, the way you retailer it performs simply as huge a task as when it was manufactured.
Carrying a condom in your pockets for months can result in it expiring lengthy earlier than its labelled expiry date (picture supply: freepik)
What’s the proper technique to retailer condoms?
Dr Jain advises, “Retailer them in a cool, dry place away from daylight and sharp objects. A bedside drawer or a cupboard is right. Simply keep away from wallets or pockets for lengthy intervals.” Correct storage helps guarantee condoms stay efficient for his or her full shelf life.
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Is there any grace interval after expiry?
Some individuals assume that utilizing a condom that’s just some days or even weeks previous the expiration date remains to be high-quality. Nevertheless, Dr Jain warns that it’s a harmful false impression. “As soon as a condom has expired, it must be thought-about instantly unsafe, even when it seems to be and feels regular”. Thus, utilizing a condom even barely previous the expiration date carries pointless threat.
DISCLAIMER: This text relies on data from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. All the time seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
