As most of us learned in health class, a sperm must connect with an egg for fertilization to occur, which is the first step to getting pregnant. For this to happen, the sperm needs to remain alive after ejaculation, which brings up the very important question: how long does sperm live after it leaves the penis?
Whether you’re trying to conceive, trying to increase your knowledge about preventing pregnancy, or are just curious as to how long sperm survives after ejaculation, we’ve got you covered. We spoke with a medical expert and reviewed the research to give you all the answers.
Inside/Out: Location Matters
The first thing you need to know is that the answer to how long sperm lives after ejaculation is highly dependent on where the sperm goes after ejaculation. When sperm is ejaculated into the vagina, the survival rate is much different than when it's ejaculated outside of the body. Sperm's longevity outside the body is also dependent on a number of factors.
Let's dig into the details.
Inside the Female Body
How long can sperm live inside a woman's body (or the body of a person assigned female at birth)? According to Sweta Dhakal, MBBS, MD, MPH, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Pacific IVF Center, sperm can survive inside a person’s vagina for up to five days. However, many factors impact a sperm’s lifespan in the body of a woman or person assigned female at birth.
“It is worth noting that factors such as sperm count, ability to move (motility), and the shape of sperm (morphology) differ among individual sperms and affect and alter their survival rates, too,” Dr. Dhakal says. “As an average range, sperm survival inside the female body ranges from a few hours to five days.”
For the sperm to survive, the female reproductive tract needs to provide the most ideal conditions. These include:
pH
The vagina’s pH levels play a critical role in a sperm’s survival. “The alkaline environment of the female reproductive tract provides just the right pH level necessary to neutralize the acidic nature of the urethra, ultimately protecting the sperm, “ Dr. Dhakal says.
Cervical mucus
Cervical mucus is the fluid created and released by the cervix or opening of the uterus.
“Since the deposition of sperm inside the person AMAB’s body should be timed near ovulation, cervical mucus enriches a warm, nutritive pathway for sperm to travel in the tract,” Dr. Dhakal says. “Additionally, this stretchy mucus also protects the delicate sperm.”
Uterine contractions
Research reveals that uterine contractions can quickly transport sperm through the uterus, thus improving its survival rate and ability to meet an egg.
All of these factors are part of the fertile window, which is a six-day period in a person’s menstrual cycle when sexual intercourse can lead to pregnancy. Because sperm can only survive five days in the uterus, timing is crucial, as the chances of conceiving are higher the days before and after ovulation.
Read More: Sex After a Hysterectomy: Where Does Sperm Go When the Uterus is Gone?
Outside the Body
With an understanding of how long the sperm lives inside the body, you’re likely wondering, “How long does sperm live outside the body?” Well, according to Dr. Dhakal, it’s not very long.
“Sperm generally survives for 15 to 30 minutes on surfaces like cloth and tables,” she says. “Under ideal conditions, such as a laboratory, it can survive for a few hours.”
A sperm’s survival significantly declines if it dries out. “Once the seminal liquid becomes dry, the sperm is typically dead,” Dr. Dhakal says. “Sperm requires a warm environment to survive. When it comes in contact with air, the drying process begins almost immediately.”
Another substance that sperm doesn’t thrive in is water. While sperm can last a bit longer in water than on dry surfaces, it disperses and separates from protective fluids in the semen. Plus, sperm dies much quicker in a hot bath or hot tub because of the heat or certain chemicals in the water.
And in case you're wondering, it’s very unlikely that sperm in water like a pool, hot tub, or bath could lead to pregnancy.
Other Factors Affecting Survival
In addition to where the sperm is ejaculated, other things can affect sperm’s ability to survive after ejaculation. These factors include:
Temperature
According to research, the best temperature for semen to preserve sperm motility is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Sperm exposed to very low or high temperatures can affect sperm quality and survival.
Health and lifestyle choices
- Diet: What you eat can play a role in your sperm’s survival. Eating a diet full of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables can reduce sperm DNA damage and increase sperm motility and vitality. On the flip side, diets that are high in fat and sugar can affect sperm health.
- Exercise: Research reveals that men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB) who had sedentary lifestyles were more likely to develop late-onset male hypogonadism (low testosterone levels), which is tied to reduced sperm vitality.
- Smoking and alcohol consumption: Heavy smoking (more than 20 cigarettes a day) may lead to a decreased sperm count. Moderate or high alcohol consumption (15.4 grams of alcohol or more a day) was linked to an increase in morphologically abnormal sperm.
Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (i.e., pesticides, lubricants, bisphenol A, and phthalates) and heavy metals (i.e., lead paints, cosmetics, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic) may cause fertility challenges for men and people AMAB.
Age
As people men and AMAB get older, their sperm quality and quantity can decline, which ultimately impacts a sperm’s chances of survival for conception.
The Bottom Line
Overall, sperm can live up to five days after ejaculation. However, a sperm’s lifespan depends on whether the semen lands inside or outside the body. Sperm can live outside the body, but its lifespan is very short. And sperm ejaculated outside the body is very unlikely to lead to conception, which is great news if you're trying to prevent pregnancy, but not so great if you’re trying to have a child.
If you have concerns about your sperm quality, please reach out to a licensed healthcare professional for medical advice. Having a better understanding of your reproductive health can be empowering as it gives you the ability to advocate for and make informed decisions about your health.
