Condoms are one of the vital in style strategies of contraception and STI prevention worldwide. Nonetheless, do you know that their effectiveness is dependent upon a number of components, together with expiration dates and storage situations?
Opposite to in style perception, expiration dates of condoms aren’t a advertising and marketing gimmick. Identical to another medical product, they’ve a restricted shelf life. “Over time, the latex or polyurethane materials weakens and loses flexibility, which makes it extra liable to breakage,” explains Dr Prashant Jain, Affiliate Director of Urology at PSRI Hospital.
“Expiry dates are there to maintain you secure. It’s not value playing together 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 are invisible to the attention. Even when they give the impression of being high-quality, they might not be secure. “These small tears can permit semen or infectious brokers to go via,” explains Dr Jain. “That straight will increase the chance 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 defend in opposition to STIs and being pregnant?
An expired condom’s structural power 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 could seem.” In brief, an expired condom doesn’t defend 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 typically “expire” even earlier than the printed date if they’re saved poorly. Wallets, purses, glove compartments, or automotive dashboards are a few of the worst locations to maintain them. “Warmth, friction, and daylight all harm latex,” he explains. “Carrying a condom in your pockets for months may imply it fails lengthy earlier than its labelled expiry.” So, the way you retailer it performs simply as massive 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 solution 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 durations.” Correct storage helps guarantee condoms stay efficient for his or her full shelf life.Story continues beneath this advert
Is there any grace interval after expiry?
Some folks assume that utilizing a condom that’s only a few days or perhaps weeks previous the expiration date continues to be high-quality. Nonetheless, Dr Jain warns that it’s a harmful false impression. “As soon as a condom has expired, it needs to be thought of 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 is predicated on data from the general public area and/or the specialists we spoke to. At all times seek the advice of your well being practitioner earlier than beginning any routine.
