Should I refrain from using frozen condoms?

Dear Reader, 

Condom labels are indeed vague about how condoms handle the cold. In general, keeping them somewhere cool (not cold) and dry is a safe move. Since your condoms were only in the cold for a short time, they may still be fine. However, you may want to give them a quick check for signs of damage and use additional contraceptive methods if you do decide to use them. Read on to learn more! 

How does temperature influence condoms? 

Extremely high and low temperatures can affect the quality of a condom by causing damage or breakage. If you store them in extreme temperatures over an extended period, they're much more likely to be unsafe for use. Storing condoms in high moisture environments can impact the stretchiness of latex condoms, increasing their chances of breaking.  Internal condoms may be less sensitive to temperature and moisture than external condoms, but overall, cool and dry places are safer for storage.  

How can you check if a condom is broken? 

Any time a condom is stored in extreme conditions, it's a good idea to check their condition before deciding to use them. Factors you can check include  

• Texture: Feel if the condom is sticky, stiff, or dry. Condoms should be slippery and able to be stretched.
• Appearance: Look for any apparent holes in the condom. For external condom, you can look to see if any skin of the penis is exposed in the air after putting it on.
• Leakage: Fill the condom with water and examine if any water leaks out. While you shouldn’t use this condom after you’ve checked it, it may give you an idea about the integrity of the rest of the condoms in the bunch.  

If you’re still unsure about whether your condoms held up after the short freeze, you may want to use additional contraceptive methods when using those condoms. Alternatively, you might just discard them entirely and get new ones for peace of mind. 

Hope this helps calm your concerns!