FACT CHECK: Does Durex Now Sell ‘Reversible’ Condoms?

An image shared on Facebook purportedly shows a box of Durex condoms that are advertised as “reversible.”

Verdict: False

The product does not appear on Durex’s website. A spokesperson for Durex’s parent company said the product was fake.

Fact Check:

The image looks to show a box of Durex condoms with the word “reversible” included at the bottom. “Two sided condoms for repeat wear,” reads text included on the box’s packaging.

The image appears to be digitally altered, as Durex does not list such a product on its website. An internet search revealed the rumor of the Durex reversible condom appeared in a January 2020 article from News Spoilers, which describes itself as “pre-news for a post-truth era.” The image, which has been re-shared in various Reddit meme groups and Twitter accounts, did not appear in the article. 

Reckitt, the company that owns Durex, told Check Your Fact via phone that the image was fabricated and is aware of the “false reports” regarding the condom.

“Durex condoms are designed to be used once and disposed of – incorrect use diminishes the protective effect of condoms by leading to breakage, slippage, or leakage,” Andrea Riepe, a spokesperson for Reckitt, told Check Your Fact. (RELATED: Is It Illegal To Remove A Condom After sex Without A Partner’s Consent In California?)

Condoms are a method of contraception during intercourse that prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), according to Cleveland Clinic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have advised users to wear condoms appropriately to achieve maximum protection.

“The failure of condoms to protect against STD/HIV transmission usually results from inconsistent or incorrect use, rather than product failure,” the CDC previously warned. The agency has made public statements via social media, reminding users to not reuse condoms.