Answers to Sexual Health Questions - Birth Control: Condoms

This site is primarily for the Rutgers University family. Teens with questions about sex, submit your questions to: Ask the experts.

(see links to other sites with information on sexual health)

Information about Emergency Contraception

NOTE: Many readers have questions about when they are fertile and when it's possible to get pregnant.  If your question isn't already listed below, see if it is answered when visiting Ways to Chart Your Fertility Pattern or when visiting: Go Ask Alice!: Fertile times?

For information on Effects of Zoloft and other drugs, including pot, on the efficacy of birth control pills   

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Ask the Staff is moderated by Edward Lifshitz, M.D., Director of Busch-Livingston Health Center

I left condoms out in my car and then used them. They were in the cold for about two months at below-freezing temperatures most of the time, with a couple rises in temperature to 65 degrees. They were back to room temperature when I opened them but there were tiny crystals on the outside (most likely frozen lubricant). After using them I saw no breaks and even emptied the condom and poured water in it and found no leaks. How likely is the chance of pregnancy? Is it greater than that for a condom kept at room temperature for two months?

How effective against pregnancy is using a condom with nonoxyl 9 combined with one of those dissolvable inserts for women such as Contreceptol?