Condoms are wonderful pieces of polyisoprene that prevent the transmission of sexual diseases, and dramatically lower the chances of pregnancy. They are meant to fit tightly (ideally snugly) over an erect penis, and prevent ejaculate and other sexual fluids from mingling as intercourse occurs. Like many other health products, condoms have expiry dates, typically lasting several years after they have been placed on the shelf. While they are easy to purchase in high quantities, there can certainly be situations where an expired condom is used, and the biggest problem with doing so is that these items have a higher chance of tear and breaking than 'still good' condoms.

In an ideal world, there would be no problems with this, but because sex is not always planned (and in fact, some of the most exciting and pleasurable sexual experiences aren't), there is a chance that you might use one.

If you notice as you grab the wrapper from your wallet or dresser drawer that the expiration date is past by several months or more, it's time to think about what to do next, even though there's really only one thing on your mind (the sex). Mention it immediately to your partner, and ask if they are using any protection themselves (perhaps an IUD or birth control pills), and if just that is an acceptable situation for themselves. Offer to still wear the condom if it would make both of you feel a bit more comfortable and safe. Planned Parenthood and many other Sexual Health Organizations agree that expired condoms are better than no condoms at all.

What happens happens if you use an expired condom that doesn't tear or break at all? Almost certainly nothing. Obviously a vast, vast majority of condoms work properly, and while expiration dates are important, even the chances that they would break or tear even a year after the last time you should have used them are low.

Another great thing is that condoms last a very long time. They have a five year shelf life, which means if you just keep them in a drawer for half a decade, they'll all still be good through this time. If the condom wrapper looks to be in pristine condition, and the condom itself looks the same way, it's a good indication that even expired, it will do its job properly. But if the wrapper is bent or torn or twisted, or if the condom itself is not properly flattened down upon removal and is strangely dry, then you definitely shouldn't be using it, regardless of the expiration date.

If the expired condom does break, the good thing is that the odds are in your favour, both in terms of catching a sexually transmitted disease, or impregnating your partner, that nothing bad will come of it. In regards to the former, people are much more open and straightforward about their health (and you and your partner should definitely have mentioned something ahead of time if either of you were already ill) and that means would be more willing to seek out treatment, so the amount of people who may transmit these illnesses is already low. Similarly, pregnancy odds are already rather low, even when couples are trying to conceive. Plus with other contraceptives readily available (including the morning after pill), there are a lot of other ways to cover all the bases in case your expired condom malfunctions.

If the condom breaks, and sometimes you might not even realize it has happened until after you've finished and have pulled out, tell your partner immediately. Yes, you are probably shocked and worried right away and probably will gasp so chances are you won't be able to hide it, anyway, but telling them the truth no matter the exact situation is essential.

It is also possible for you to not realize that the condom has torn until you remove it, which might be when you're in the bathroom not longer you've finished. And if you knew you were using an expired condom, it is definitely worth the time to check it just to make sure that there weren't any smaller rips or tears that you wouldn't have noticed while wearing it. While the smaller the tear means the smaller the chance that anything is going to happen, it's good to be aware of the possibility than be surprise with unpleasant news days, weeks or months down the road.

Since you would be dreading the possible text or phone call during this time, it's another reason to tell your partner right away. There's no sense in trying to hide it and hope for the best, since if anything happens, the level of anger and mistrust that will be directed to you will certainly make resolving the problem of illness transmission or pregnancy that much more difficult to deal with.

If your partner was another man, there's obviously no pregnancy risk, but sexually transmitted diseases and infections (including HIV) are an unfortunate possibility that have to be addressed immediately, and that means asking them some awkward questions.

While a STD or STI test result can be found out within a few days (and if you think it might be an issue, you should get tested as soon as possible), it can take a little bit longer when it comes to the possibility of pregnancy. While the nature of your relationship will vary - maybe you're already in a long term relationship, maybe you've just been dating for a while, or maybe it was meant to be a one-time fling - there should definitely be open communication throughout the ensuing month until the 'all clear' can be learned for certain and shared.

One night stands will obviously be a bit awkward over this period, since neither of you expected to have any sort of contact afterwards, but thanks to the power of our phones, everyone really is just a text away. If you are in a relationship, you'll more likely have a chance to discuss exactly what you both think about this (it's certainly a time of reflection), and the relationship in general. it's important not necessarily to blame the condom of itself, or either of you, since it was just bad luck that an expired condom did what an expired condom is slightly more like to do that a good one.

Early condoms were typically made from animal intestines, which goes to show how much of an unpleasant process people would go to make something that will help them have a pleasurable time and not create a different sort of unpleasant process. While condoms have the nickname 'rubbers', they haven't been made of that material for over a century, as by the 1920s, latex (a chemical that rubber itself was derived from) was being used. Today, most condoms are made of polyisoprene, and all that you need to know is that it's ultra thin, and ultra-durable...in most cases, and as long as expiration dates are abided by.

Despite the ease of always keeping a condom in your wallet or back pocket, you really shouldn't do this at all, as constantly being squeezed, pressed, and bent can create tears not only in the wrapper, but the condom itself. It should be acknowledged, though, of just how handy it is to keep a condom in your wallet. It fits perfectly, and is a bit of nice psychological boost when you walk down the street that - no matter what may happen - you'll be prepared. The solution is not keep it in there the whole time. As far as transporting it in your wallet to your partner's apartment, or placing it in there before going to a club (and taking it out later that night for use, or to put back on your dresser if you didn't have any luck) that shouldn't be a problem at all.

As far as 'other' uses, condoms strength and durability have made them useful in some rather unusual situations, from waterproofing underwater microphones to protecting outdoor science samples from contamination from the greater environment (certainly they don't use expired ones). And of course it's also become a popular device for smuggling contraband from one place to another, since it's widely available and doesn't necessarily arouse suspicion if found in someone's pocket.

Be prepared! And not in the sense that it's taking all the fun or spontaneity out of sex, but just have a fresh one nearby. One of the advantages of home field advantage (also known as 'going back to your place'), is that you know exactly where the condoms are, and can grab one in a pinch right off your end table or from a nearby drawer And to make sure you don't even up having a pile of expired ones after all this time, throw them all out as soon as you realize they're past the date, and in the very next moment after throwing them in the trash, go right online and order another pack of however many (while you might not want to waste them, condoms are fairly inexpensive when you buy them in bulk, and spending thirty or forty bucks every four or five years is definitely worth avoiding the worry you would have if you an old one you did use malfunctioned (and hey, if you need to order condoms more often than that, congratulations! You're having lots of sex!).

In additions to condoms, we are fortunate to live at a time where there are many other contraceptive options available to both sexes. While you should never expect your partner to always be prepared on your behalf, we are at a point where people are certainly prepared for themselves, and that means many more women are using birth control pills, IUDs, or the morning after pill. Pregnancy has become something that you can make sure happens only if you want to, but the less concern you will have around it, the better

The old saying 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is never more true than in situations like this. No doubt that the stress you feel when realizing you've used an expired condom is enough to set your straight going forward, and you'll definitely make sure that it never happens again. One thing to mention though is to never use two condoms (especially two expired condoms) at once - perhaps in hopes that you'll still be protected if one breaks - because the friction between both of them (while not strong) can increase the chances of both of them breaking. It's likely that you're partner will remember this as well, and they might always carry condoms for any future partners they may have to make sure they don't have to repeat the ordeal, either.

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