As the UK braces for another heatwave with the Met Office predicting highs of 33°C in London and averages around 27°C, sexual health experts warn that condoms stored improperly can degrade. Condoms are designed to be kept in cool, dry conditions between 15°C and 25°C, and exposure to excessive heat can weaken the latex, increasing the risk of breakage.
Why cool storage matters
Leaving condoms in hot cars, on warm windowsills, in baking tents, or in handbags for hours during a heatwave can weaken the latex, according to sex and relationships coach Gemma Nice. She says this makes them 'more likely to tear or break during use.'
Gemma, from Condoms.uk, advises: 'People should think about where they’re storing condoms. A bedside drawer, cupboard or other cool, dry place inside the home is perfectly suitable. The biggest risk comes when they are left somewhere that becomes much hotter than the outside temperature, such as inside a parked car, where temperatures can rise significantly.'
For those without air conditioning, she recommends keeping condoms in the coolest, driest area of the home, away from direct sunlight. She warns against putting them in the fridge or freezer, and notes that 'repeatedly moving condoms between very cold and very warm temperatures isn’t recommended either.'
How to pack condoms for travel
Senior sexual health nurse Sarah Mulindwa explains that it is fine to pack condoms in either hand luggage or checked baggage on flights, as aircraft hold temperatures are not typically cold enough to damage them. When hitting the beach, she advises keeping condoms in a bag stored in the shade rather than in direct sunlight.
Signs of heat damage
If a condom has been exposed to high temperatures, it may show signs such as a brittle texture, stickiness, discolouration, or damaged packaging. Sarah Mulindwa, also a sexual health expert for Lovehoney, says: 'Even if there are no obvious changes, if you know it has been exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged period, it’s best and safest to replace it.'
Avoid mixing condoms with sun cream
SPF and condoms do not mix well. Latex is a natural rubber, making it porous. Oily or greasy substances like sun tan lotion can break down the material, increasing the risk of breakage. Thousands of travellers acquire STIs abroad each year, and while condomless sex is a major factor, even those who use condoms may unknowingly compromise them through improper storage or contact with oils.
