Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypical Sperm LifespanContributing FactorsPregnancy OddsWhen Do Sperm Die?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Typical Sperm Lifespan
Contributing Factors
Pregnancy Odds
When Do Sperm Die?
How longspermcan live outside of the body that has produced them depends on several factors. When sperm have been deposited inside the female reproductive tract (vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes), they can live for up to five days.Sperm that has been properly frozen can live for decades.Kathrin Ziegler / Getty ImagesTypical Sperm LifespanHealthy adult testicles (testes) continuously producesperm. On average, it takes 74 days for sperm to mature fully.Sperm production starts in theseminiferous tubuleswithin eachtesticleand moves to the epididymis, where it is stored.How long it lives after it matures will depend on several factors discussed below.A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologySperm are reproductive cells produced in the testicles, which are organs typically present in people assigned male at birth.Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.Before EjaculationBeforeejaculation(the ejection of semen through the penis) the body stores sperm within the testes. If the sperm are not used once they are fully mature, the body will reabsorb them.After EjaculationHow long sperm can live after ejaculation will vary. Sperm that is ejaculated into thefemale reproductive tractcan live for up to five days.However, sperm that is ejaculated and is outside of a body can live for up to an hour if it is at room temperature (68 degrees F).Sperm that a healthcare provider freezes can survive for decades.Someone might choose to do this (bank sperm) if they are undergoing treatment for certain health conditions likecancerand want to preserve the sperm for future use.Pregnancy MisconceptionsPregnancy following vaginal sex can occur when sperm travels through the vaginal canal and cervix into the uterus and into the fallopian tube, where it meets the egg.This complex movement must also occur when the female is fertile duringovulation(release of a mature egg from the ovary).Many people have misconceptions about how to becomepregnant. Talking to a healthcare provider to answer specific questions is always best.Contributing FactorsMany factors can contribute to the lifespan of sperm. Once sperm leaves the body, it must remain moist and warm to stay alive.Below are ways to help improve sperm health and sperm count:Avoid alcohol.Stop smoking.Do not take recreational drugs.Maintain a healthy weight with a healthy diet and regular exercise.Avoid chemical exposure (pesticides, solvents, and heavy metals).Do not wear tight-fitting underwear.Sperm Life and Pregnancy OddsWith sperm’s short lifespan of up to five days within the female reproductive tract, vaginal intercourse or insemination must happen at the right time for pregnancy to occur.Below are details of the likelihood ofpregnancyfrom vaginal intercourse orartificial insemination.From IntercoursePregnancyis more likely to occur if vaginal intercourse occurs every other day or every third day on or around a female’s fertile days. A female is typicallyfertilebetween days 11 and 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle; this is when ovulation occurs.During this fertile time, the cervical mucus changes to protect the sperm and to help it move toward the uterus, making pregnancy easier.If a female is under 40 years of age and has regular, unprotected vaginal intercourse for one year, there is an 8 out of 10 chance that they will get pregnant.Artificial InseminationIntrauterine insemination(IUI) is when a healthcare provider directly injects sperm into the uterus. This type of artificial insemination is a treatment that is used to help increase the chances of sperm fertilizing an egg. During vaginal intercourse, a few hundred sperm reach the egg, but in artificial insemination, millions of healthy sperm are placed directly inside the uterus.The success of IUI varies greatly among users. One study from 2022 found a per-cycle success rate of 10.9% and an overall success rate of 19.4%.Semen AnalysisAbout half of fertility issues are related to sperm. If a male’s fertility needs to be assessed, a healthcare provider may order a semen analysis. It is used to measure the quality and count of sperm to determine fertility.When Do Sperm Die?Sperm cannot survive in certain conditions. After ejaculation, if sperm is not in thefemale reproductive tract, they will die within an hour.If sperm is in thefemale reproductive tract, it will die after five days.SummarySperm cannot survive for very long after ejaculation if it is not in the female reproductive tract. People who are trying to get pregnant should aim to have vaginal intercourse every two to three days around and during the female’s ovulation time. Ovulation typically occurs between days 11 and 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle.A healthcare provider can assist with determining if there are health concerns related to the sperm if infertility is suspected.
How longspermcan live outside of the body that has produced them depends on several factors. When sperm have been deposited inside the female reproductive tract (vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes), they can live for up to five days.Sperm that has been properly frozen can live for decades.
Kathrin Ziegler / Getty Images
Healthy adult testicles (testes) continuously producesperm. On average, it takes 74 days for sperm to mature fully.
Sperm production starts in theseminiferous tubuleswithin eachtesticleand moves to the epididymis, where it is stored.How long it lives after it matures will depend on several factors discussed below.
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologySperm are reproductive cells produced in the testicles, which are organs typically present in people assigned male at birth.Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Sperm are reproductive cells produced in the testicles, which are organs typically present in people assigned male at birth.Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Before Ejaculation
Beforeejaculation(the ejection of semen through the penis) the body stores sperm within the testes. If the sperm are not used once they are fully mature, the body will reabsorb them.
After Ejaculation
How long sperm can live after ejaculation will vary. Sperm that is ejaculated into thefemale reproductive tractcan live for up to five days.However, sperm that is ejaculated and is outside of a body can live for up to an hour if it is at room temperature (68 degrees F).
Sperm that a healthcare provider freezes can survive for decades.Someone might choose to do this (bank sperm) if they are undergoing treatment for certain health conditions likecancerand want to preserve the sperm for future use.
Pregnancy MisconceptionsPregnancy following vaginal sex can occur when sperm travels through the vaginal canal and cervix into the uterus and into the fallopian tube, where it meets the egg.This complex movement must also occur when the female is fertile duringovulation(release of a mature egg from the ovary).Many people have misconceptions about how to becomepregnant. Talking to a healthcare provider to answer specific questions is always best.
Pregnancy Misconceptions
Pregnancy following vaginal sex can occur when sperm travels through the vaginal canal and cervix into the uterus and into the fallopian tube, where it meets the egg.This complex movement must also occur when the female is fertile duringovulation(release of a mature egg from the ovary).Many people have misconceptions about how to becomepregnant. Talking to a healthcare provider to answer specific questions is always best.
Pregnancy following vaginal sex can occur when sperm travels through the vaginal canal and cervix into the uterus and into the fallopian tube, where it meets the egg.This complex movement must also occur when the female is fertile duringovulation(release of a mature egg from the ovary).
Many people have misconceptions about how to becomepregnant. Talking to a healthcare provider to answer specific questions is always best.
Many factors can contribute to the lifespan of sperm. Once sperm leaves the body, it must remain moist and warm to stay alive.
Below are ways to help improve sperm health and sperm count:
Sperm Life and Pregnancy Odds
With sperm’s short lifespan of up to five days within the female reproductive tract, vaginal intercourse or insemination must happen at the right time for pregnancy to occur.
Below are details of the likelihood ofpregnancyfrom vaginal intercourse orartificial insemination.
From Intercourse
Pregnancyis more likely to occur if vaginal intercourse occurs every other day or every third day on or around a female’s fertile days. A female is typicallyfertilebetween days 11 and 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle; this is when ovulation occurs.
During this fertile time, the cervical mucus changes to protect the sperm and to help it move toward the uterus, making pregnancy easier.
If a female is under 40 years of age and has regular, unprotected vaginal intercourse for one year, there is an 8 out of 10 chance that they will get pregnant.
Artificial Insemination
Intrauterine insemination(IUI) is when a healthcare provider directly injects sperm into the uterus. This type of artificial insemination is a treatment that is used to help increase the chances of sperm fertilizing an egg. During vaginal intercourse, a few hundred sperm reach the egg, but in artificial insemination, millions of healthy sperm are placed directly inside the uterus.
The success of IUI varies greatly among users. One study from 2022 found a per-cycle success rate of 10.9% and an overall success rate of 19.4%.
Semen AnalysisAbout half of fertility issues are related to sperm. If a male’s fertility needs to be assessed, a healthcare provider may order a semen analysis. It is used to measure the quality and count of sperm to determine fertility.
Semen Analysis
About half of fertility issues are related to sperm. If a male’s fertility needs to be assessed, a healthcare provider may order a semen analysis. It is used to measure the quality and count of sperm to determine fertility.
Sperm cannot survive in certain conditions. After ejaculation, if sperm is not in thefemale reproductive tract, they will die within an hour.If sperm is in thefemale reproductive tract, it will die after five days.
Summary
Sperm cannot survive for very long after ejaculation if it is not in the female reproductive tract. People who are trying to get pregnant should aim to have vaginal intercourse every two to three days around and during the female’s ovulation time. Ovulation typically occurs between days 11 and 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle.
A healthcare provider can assist with determining if there are health concerns related to the sperm if infertility is suspected.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Pregnancy - identifying fertile days.Beacon Health System.Sperm: how long do they live after ejaculation?Punjani N, Wald G, Al-Hussein Alwamlh O, Feliciano M, Dudley V, Goldstein M.Optimal timing for repeat semen analysis during male infertility evaluation.F S Rep. 2021;2(2):172-175. doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2021.04.010MedlinePlus.Sperm.University of North Carolina School of Medicine.Vasectomy.Cleveland Clinic.Sperm.University of California San Francisco Center for Reproductive Health.Conception: how it works.National Health Services.Low sperm count.National Health Services.Trying to get pregnant.Penn Medicine.Intrauterine insemination (IUI).Zippl AL, Wachter A, Rockenschaub P, Toth B, Seeber B.Predicting success of intrauterine insemination using a clinically based scoring system.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022;306(5):1777-1786. doi:10.1007/s00404-022-06758-zMedlinePlus.Semen analysis.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Pregnancy - identifying fertile days.Beacon Health System.Sperm: how long do they live after ejaculation?Punjani N, Wald G, Al-Hussein Alwamlh O, Feliciano M, Dudley V, Goldstein M.Optimal timing for repeat semen analysis during male infertility evaluation.F S Rep. 2021;2(2):172-175. doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2021.04.010MedlinePlus.Sperm.University of North Carolina School of Medicine.Vasectomy.Cleveland Clinic.Sperm.University of California San Francisco Center for Reproductive Health.Conception: how it works.National Health Services.Low sperm count.National Health Services.Trying to get pregnant.Penn Medicine.Intrauterine insemination (IUI).Zippl AL, Wachter A, Rockenschaub P, Toth B, Seeber B.Predicting success of intrauterine insemination using a clinically based scoring system.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022;306(5):1777-1786. doi:10.1007/s00404-022-06758-zMedlinePlus.Semen analysis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Pregnancy - identifying fertile days.Beacon Health System.Sperm: how long do they live after ejaculation?Punjani N, Wald G, Al-Hussein Alwamlh O, Feliciano M, Dudley V, Goldstein M.Optimal timing for repeat semen analysis during male infertility evaluation.F S Rep. 2021;2(2):172-175. doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2021.04.010MedlinePlus.Sperm.University of North Carolina School of Medicine.Vasectomy.Cleveland Clinic.Sperm.University of California San Francisco Center for Reproductive Health.Conception: how it works.National Health Services.Low sperm count.National Health Services.Trying to get pregnant.Penn Medicine.Intrauterine insemination (IUI).Zippl AL, Wachter A, Rockenschaub P, Toth B, Seeber B.Predicting success of intrauterine insemination using a clinically based scoring system.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022;306(5):1777-1786. doi:10.1007/s00404-022-06758-zMedlinePlus.Semen analysis.
MedlinePlus.Pregnancy - identifying fertile days.
Beacon Health System.Sperm: how long do they live after ejaculation?
Punjani N, Wald G, Al-Hussein Alwamlh O, Feliciano M, Dudley V, Goldstein M.Optimal timing for repeat semen analysis during male infertility evaluation.F S Rep. 2021;2(2):172-175. doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2021.04.010
MedlinePlus.Sperm.
University of North Carolina School of Medicine.Vasectomy.
Cleveland Clinic.Sperm.
University of California San Francisco Center for Reproductive Health.Conception: how it works.
National Health Services.Low sperm count.
National Health Services.Trying to get pregnant.
Penn Medicine.Intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Zippl AL, Wachter A, Rockenschaub P, Toth B, Seeber B.Predicting success of intrauterine insemination using a clinically based scoring system.Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2022;306(5):1777-1786. doi:10.1007/s00404-022-06758-z
MedlinePlus.Semen analysis.
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