Background: As medical devices, mechanical contraceptives require regulation in terms of market approval, efficacy, quality and fitness for purpose. The shelf life of condoms is fundamental to their performance. In the case of rubber condoms, the degree of aging depends on several factors, including the nature of the elastomer, the formulation (quantity and type of additives used), processing conditions, design, product application and the environmental conditions to which the product will be subjected.
Methods: Three different batches of condoms from different manufacturers were evaluated after the expiration date of each batch, in order to observe the changes that occur in the product. The condoms analyzed were expired three to four years after the expiration date. Due to the insufficient number of samples to perform all the necessary tests, it was possible to perform the test to determine the volumetric capacity and burst pressure in each batch available for the study, as this test is used as an indicator of the condom’s resistance, measuring the pressure and burst volume.
Results and Conclusion: The results categorically state that different condoms produced by different manufacturers age and exhibit impaired performance over time. The results also indicate that the different products degrade at different rates, with the burst volume appearing to reflect the degradation process more sensitively.

Keywords:Male condoms; Degradation; Sanitary surveillance