condom

How Long Are Condoms Good For After Manufacture?

Consenting adults these days try to use protection in order to prevent pregnancy or STDs. Where every method of protection can prevent pregnancy, preventing STDs is only possible through the use of condoms.

Although using the word “condom” is a taboo in various societies around the world but the fact is that this miraculous invention has helped save hundreds of lives. Condom not only protects from pregnancy and STDs but it also ensures peace of mind while having sex. Most of the men and women have reported that they are more likely to enjoy sex while using

Condom not only protects from pregnancy and STDs but it also ensures peace of mind while having sex. Most of the men and women have reported that they are more likely to enjoy sex while using condom as there is no fear of unwanted pregnancy or STDs.

But the most pressing question that has been bothering men and women for a long time is that what is the expiration date of a common condom? In order to answer this million dollar question, we must first understand how the condoms are created.

 

What are condoms created from?

Condom

Condoms are created from different items but most commonly they are created from latex which is a thin, rubber-like material. Most of the condoms are created from the latex that comes from natural rubber.

But there are also some brands that offer the condoms created from polyisoprene which is synthetic latex. The biggest benefit of these condoms is that they prevent people from capturing latex allergies.

Some condoms are created from polyurethane which is an extremely thin material. It is not as flexible as a normal condom but it also protects the user from latex allergies.

If you want to wear a condom but don’t want to feel it then you must go for the lambskin condoms.
Suitable for the partner with sensitive skin or latex allergy.
The feeling is as though one has nothing on. This is the next best thing to nothing.

Last update on 2022-06-03 / Product Info from Amazon Product Advertising API

They are created from a sheep’s intestinal membrane. However, you must keep one thing in mind before going for the lambskin condoms. These condoms do provide you with a natural feeling and they are even fun to use but they can only be used to prevent pregnancy. If you want to use them to prevent STDs then they are not worth it.

Check the packet for expiry date

Condom expiry

Now that you have understood the creation of condoms, let’s move on to the expiry date of the condoms. Most of the people get the notion that condoms do not expire as they are made from latex.

But if this is true then how come there is an expiry date written on the package of a condom.

When you pick up a packed condom then you will see two different types of dates written on the package. One is the EXP date and the other is the MFG date. EXP date stands for the expiry date while MFG stands for the manufacturing date.

When you pick up a packed condom then you will see two different types of dates written on the package. One is the EXP date and the other is the MFG date. EXP date stands for the expiry date while MFG stands for the manufacturing date.

Normally a packed condom is fit for use till five years but if the latex condoms contained spermicide then they would only last for two years. So when you will check the date of manufacturing then all you need to do is to count down five years from the date of manufacturing. Please do keep in mind not to treat expiry date as the manufacturing date or you will be doomed.

Please do keep in mind not to treat expiry date as the manufacturing date or you will be doomed.

How to store a condom?

Although most of the condoms do expire when they reach their expiry date, there are also some condoms that expire even before reaching the expiry date. It happens if the condoms are not stored in a proper way. If you have a habit of storing your condoms in your wallet or purse or even your car’s compartment then I would strongly suggest you

It happens if the condoms are not stored in a proper way. If you have a habit of storing your condoms in your wallet or purse or even your car’s compartment then I would strongly suggest you not to stash your condoms in them every day since they might get dry or to ditch that habit because these places can make your condoms break even before the expiry date.

The place that can keep your condom safe and secure for a long time is any cool and dry place. Places like medical cabinets or a bedside table can prove to be best storing places for your condoms.

The place that can keep your condom safe and secure for a long time is any cool and dry place. Places like medical cabinets or a bedside table can prove to be best storing places for your condoms.

Keep in mind…

Even if you have stored the condom at a cool and dry place, we would heavily suggest you to always check the expiry date of a condom mentioned on its package, before you use it. If the condom has not reached its expiry date yet but it seems sticky, brittle or

If the condom has not reached its expiry date yet but it seems sticky, brittle or colorless then you must instantly discard it and go for a new one.

Some of the condoms don’t possess EXP or MFG on their cover. Instead, they contain “Sell by” and “Use by”. “Sell by” represents the shelf life of the condom whereas “Use by” represents the actual life of the condom.

Signs to look out for…

You need to look out for these signs in order to determine whether the condom is safe for use or not:

Is the package in good condition?

First of all, you must check the packaging of the condom while you are shopping for them. If there is any sort of tear on the packet, or packet has been ripped from any corner or there are some stains on the packet then you must NOT buy that condom. Instead, go for the one that is available in complete and new packaging.

How the condom feels?

When you open a condom for the first time, it feels lubricated but this lubrication is in mild proportion. If you took out a condom and it seems too much watery or oily then you must instantly discard that condom.

Smell it!

Nowadays, flavored condoms are available in the market, that give off sweet aroma. If you don’t like flavored condoms then you can also go for scentless condoms.

However, if you use these condoms after their expiry then you will sense a disgusting smell coming out of them. So I would strongly suggest to keep your nose out for any bad smell when you open the condom because if the smell is bad then throw that condom away.

Analyze it!

After you have opened the condom, take a moment and analyze it deeply. First of all, take a look at its tip. If there is any hole in it then throw the condom away. You must keep in mind that even a tiny bit of hole can be troublesome sometimes, so never ever use a condom if there is a hole in it. Also check for the brittles, if you find some brittles then don’t use the condom.

Things that lead to condom disasters…

Here are certain acts that can lead you to unwanted pregnancies or STDs if you don’t take care:

If you don’t check the condom package for the expiry date- As I have mentioned above, checking the expiry date of the condom that is mentioned on the packet is very important. Otherwise, you must be prepared for unwanted pregnancy.

If you don’t analyze the condom for signs of breakage before using it- You must always analyze the condoms for any sign of breakage before using them.

If you don’t leave semen space in the condom while putting it on– Condom is usually put on the private part when it is erect. So if you don’t leave some space for the semen then condom will break during.

If you don’t open the condom package carefully- Most of the people open the condom packaging by tearing it off with the nails. Using such way to open the condom can result in wear and tear of the condom. So it’s best to open the packet in a careful way.

If you don’t unroll the condom in the right way- There is a right way to roll up the condom on your private area. Some of the people forget this while rolling up the condom and when they realize it, they take the condom off and roll it up the right way. If you have rolled up the condom wrong way then you must instantly discard that condom because even if you roll it up the right way, it won’t protect you.

If you don’t put on the condom before making any contact with your partner’s genitals- Condom must always be put on when your private area is erect and you are about to make contact with your partner. If you don’t put it on time then there won’t be any point of using it.

Things to keep in mind after using the condom

You must discard the condom properly after you have used it. Always keep in mind never to reuse a condom after it has been used once.

Conclusion / Recap

Condoms are very effective when it comes to preventing the unwanted pregnancies and the STDs. Condoms have been protecting women and men from dangerous STDs such as HIV and Herpes for many decades.

The greatest benefit of the condom is that it doesn’t incur any negative effect on the health of its users. However, we must keep this in mind that condom is only useful as long as it has not expired.

A common condom is good for five long years. However, you must always check the expiry date mentioned on the package before using it because if the condoms are not stored properly then they can expire before time.

 

 

 

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