Why Do Condoms Have Expiration Dates?

Expiration dates are on tons of household items. Maybe you choose to ignore some of them, such as the one on your expensive shampoo and conditioner that you’ve been rationing or the ones listed on entire first row of your spice rack. But did you know that condoms have expiration dates too? Here’s why it’s a good idea to pay attention to them.

Condoms have expiration dates because there comes a certain time when they can no longer reliably perform the jobs they were designed for. Specifically with condoms, the latex, polyurethane, or polyisoprene they’re made of can wear down over time, becoming fragile and easy to break. And for people who rely on condoms to prevent pregnancy or reduce the spread of STIs, a condom that could rip at any moment during sex might not be an ideal condom.

Luckily, condom wrappers have dates on them that tell you when using one might be riskier than you’d prefer. Different types of condoms expire at different times, so it’s always a good idea to regularly check them to make sure they still offer the most protection. 

If checking tiny packages for even tinier numbers is too much of a hassle for you (we get it!), consider making an appointment at your nearest The Right Time health centers to learn about some methods that last longer (such as the implant and the IUD).