How long does sperm live?

The information about sperm life is important for many reasons, from conception to reproductive health. The life span of a sperm cell varies depending on the environment, and this variation plays a key role in fertility.

Inside the female body, sperm can live up to five days. This gives the sperm cells enough time to swim towards the egg and fertilize it.

However, sperm dies very quickly when it's outside the body. Outside the body, sperm usually dies within minutes to a couple of hours.

In this article, we will explore the average life span of a sperm cell in different environments. We will also cover all the factors that can influence the life span of a sperm cell.

Lifespan of a Sperm Cell

The lifespan of sperm directly depends on the environment. The duration for which a sperm lives is different when it’s inside the male body and different after ejaculation.

If you are well aware of these variations, it helps you make informed decisions about intercourse and conception.

Sperm Lifespan Inside the Male Body

It takes around 74 days to produce and mature sperm cells inside the male body. The sperm cells live in an active state during these 74 days inside the male body until you release them.

Once you release sperm outside the body in open conditions, the sperm cells die within minutes to an hour.

Sperm Lifespan After Ejaculation

Sperm lifespan after ejaculation depends on the environment in which it is present. If you ejaculate in open conditions, the sperm cell dies within a few minutes.

However, if sperm enters the female body instead of open air, they can stay alive for up to 5 days. This is because a woman's body provides favorable conditions for the sperm cells to live long enough to reach and fertilize an egg.

But what percent of sperm live 5 days?

Studies show that only 5% of sperm cells have the probability to survive for 4.4 to 5 days.  

Factors Affecting Sperm Viability

Several factors influence the ability of sperm to live and function properly. These include the temperature and pH of the environment, the presence of cervical mucus, and lifestyle factors such as diet and smoking.

Some factors increase the sperm life span while others decrease. Let’s discuss each factor in detail:

1. Temperature

How long does sperm live in the body greatly depends on the temperature. Sperm requires body temperature to live which is slightly below 98.6°F (37°C). Exposure to higher temperatures, like hot baths or saunas, can lower sperm quality and reduce their lifespan.

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2. Environment

The environment where sperm is present decides how long the sperm cell lives. How long sperm last in the body is very different from how long can sperm survive on a dry surface.

Inside the body, sperm lives longer because it gets favorable conditions. However, if the same sperm is left in the outer environment, it dies within a few minutes.

3. pH Levels and Cervical Mucus

pH is another major factor that influences how long does sperm live inside the body. Sperm cells have a better survival rate in slightly alkaline pH, whereas they die when the pH is acidic.

The reason why sperm cells live up to 5 days inside the female reproductive tract is the alkaline pH of cervical mucus. Cervical mucus is present inside the female vaginal tract, and it becomes slippery and smooth during ovulation.

This alkaline pH and supportive structure of the cervical mucus helps sperm cells to survive inside the female body for longer and fertilize the egg.

4. Lifestyle and Health

Lifestyle choices also act as a deciding factor in how long do spermatozoids live. Factors like smoking, excessive alcohol, and poor diet can negatively affect sperm health and life span.

Similarly, health conditions such as chronic illnesses, infections, and hormonal imbalances can also reduce sperm availability. Making healthy lifestyle choices and maintaining a good health status can significantly improve sperm life span and chances of conception.

Sperm Lifespan Inside a Woman's Body

Many couples planning conception often worry about how long does a sperm last in a woman or how long can sperm live in the vigina.

The answer to the question is important for both types of couples, for those who want to prevent pregnancy and for those who wish to conceive. This is because how long does semen live or how long does sperm stay inside a woman decides the chances of conception.

Journey to the Egg: Timing and Survival

Once inside the female body, sperm have a limited time to swim and reach the egg to fertilize it. Sperm cells have to swim from the vaginal canal and reach the fallopian tube, where the egg is present. 

Only a few in a million sperm can reach the fallopian tube successfully, and one among those sperm fertilizes the egg.

Role of Cervical Mucus

The vaginal environment is slightly acidic, which can reduce the life span of sperm cells in the female reproductive system. However, the female body has cervical mucus that protects the sperm cells from the acidic vaginal environment.

The cervical mucus also becomes slippery during ovulation and facilitates the sperm motility swimming of sperm cells towards the egg.

Sperm Preservation: Freezing and Storage

Thanks to modern technology, sperm can be stored for future use, such as for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

In controlled environments, such as laboratories, frozen sperm cells can be viable to give brith for many years. The freezing process doesn’t affect the genetic material of the sperm.

In a laboratory setting, sperm can be viable for many years when frozen. The freezing process does not affect the genetic material of the sperm.

FAQs

1. How long can sperm live inside you to get pregnant?

Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days. This means there is a chance of fertilization if intercourse occurs within five days before ovulation.

2. Does sperm die when it hits the air?

There is a straightforward answer to the question, does sperm die in air? Air is not a favorable environment for the sperm, and sperm dies within a few minutes in an open environment or air.

3. What percent of sperm live 3 days?

The sperm cells can live up to 5 days in the female body. However, not all the sperms reach the 5-day mark, and most only live for 3 days on avergae.

Conclusion

Knowing how long does sperm stay in the body or how long does sperm live in a woman is important for couples to plan their intercourse accordingly.

For example, if a couple wants to conceive, they should make the sperm available for the eggs in less than 5 days before ovulation. Similarly, if a couple wants to prevent pregnancy and have intercourse, they should leave a space of 5 days before ovulation.

Sperm, how long does it live, depend on several factors, such as temperature, environment, and lifestyle. You can manage these factors to improve sperm production and sperm viability.