Condom Storage
Most condoms have an expiry date of about one year to three years. It is important to use your condoms before they expire. After they expire, they will be more prone to ripping or breaking, which means they will be less effective. The expiry date is printed on the foil of each condom wrapper and often on the outside packaging of the box.
Don’t keep condoms in places that get above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). This means don’t keep them in your wallet or in a glove compartment of a car for too. If you are keeping them in your back pocket, make sure they’re not there for too long (not more than one night).
Similarly, don’t keep condoms someplace that will get too cold. If a condom is exposed to extreme temperatures, the material changes, which means that it will be more prone to breaking. Even if it doesn’t break, it might have microscopic tears that allow viruses, infections, or sperm through.
Keep condoms at room temperature, ideally in a drawer close to your bed so that you will be able to reach them while you are in the moment.
If you are buying condoms from a vending machine, make sure that they protect against STIs and STDs. Also make sure that they are not expired. You don’t want to buy from a vending machine that is in a very hot place or in direct sunlight for much of the day.
Don’t let your condoms be exposed to air, heat, or light for too long. These are the elements that lead to the breakdown of condom material.
