How Many Days Sperm Live in Female Body? (Lifespan of Sperm)

Did you know that sperm can survive inside the female reproductive system for up to five days? Yes, you read that right! While many believe that sperm dies shortly after ejaculation, the truth is quite different. Depending on factors like the sperm quality and the environment inside the uterus, they can remain viable for several days, waiting for an egg to fertilise.

Understanding this lifespan is crucial, especially for couples trying to conceive. In this blog, we’ll reveal the fascinating truth about how long sperm can actually survive in the uterus and what factors influence their longevity.

How Long Can Sperm Survive in the Uterus?

According to studies, the sperm can survive up to 5 to 7 days inside the uterus. However, the survival percentage depend on certain factors such as the enviornment of uterus, sperm motility and vagina pH level. If the conditions within a female body are not right, your sperm will not live and will perish within a few hours.

Also, some of your sperm will not survive as long if you have male infertility problems, such as low sperm motility or low sperm count.

What is a Sperm?

As you might know, sperm are basically male reproductive cells which are manufactured inside the testes in the seminiferous tubules. A mature sperm cell has a head, body, and tail and measures around 0.05 millimetres in length. The DNA in the sperm head unites with the DNA in the egg of your female partner, leading to fertilisation.

How Sperm Helps in Fertilisation?

The structure of sperm plays a crucial role in the fertilisation process. The sperm's head, known as the acrosome, contains enzymes that help it penetrate the outer layer of the egg. This is essential for successful fertilisation, as the sperm needs to break through the egg’s protective barrier.

In the middle section of the sperm, you’ll find the mitochondria, often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell. These mitochondria generate the energy needed for the sperm's tail to move efficiently. The tail, also known as the flagellum, propels the sperm forward, allowing it to swim through the female reproductive system in search of the egg. This unique combination of structure and function enables the sperm to navigate and reach the egg for fertilisation.

What are the Sperm Chances of Survival in the Uterus?

About 100 million sperm are released through your semen each time you ejaculate, but only a small percentage of the healthiest sperm will pass through the cervix and into the uterus.

Your sperm's chances of surviving within the female vagina are boosted by the fertile cervical fluid found there. The female vaginal cervix contains acidic components which affects the survival chances of sperm. If your sperm is healthy and you do not have any male infertility problems, it can survive for up to 12 hours in Vagina.

After crossing the vagina & safely entering the uterus, the sperm will proceed to the fallopian tubes, where they will remain for five days while the eggs are fertilised.

How Long Can Sperm Survive Outside the Body?

The location of your sperm determines how long it can survive outside the body. If your sperm are in the right conditions, they can live for 15 to 30 minutes outside the body.

Sperm survival largely depends on the environment it is exposed to:

• On a dry surface, like a table or clothing, sperm will perish as soon as it dries up. This is because sperm thrive in warm, moist conditions, and once the fluid surrounding them evaporates, they can no longer survive.
• However, if the sperm are on a warm, moist surface, such as human skin or in a hot tub, they tend to live a bit longer. In such environments, sperm can survive for a short period until the moisture evaporates or conditions change.

Note: It’s important to note that even in these favorable conditions, sperm outside the body have a very limited lifespan and are unlikely to cause pregnancy.

How Long Can Sperm Survive After Freezing (Cryopreservation)?

According to a study done on the longevity of sperm in cryostorage, approximately 119,558 semen samples were extracted from adult males and stored in a cryostorage facility for a period of six months to fifteen years. When frozen with liquid nitrogen (i.e., at -196C), sperm can endure for decades.

Based on the research, there were a few findings about the sperm survival rate depending on the duration:

• Sperm samples stored under freezing conditions for a shorter period, such as 6 months to 5 years, typically show a survival rate of around 82%.
• When sperm are kept in cryostorage for a longer duration of 11 to 15 years, the survival rate slightly decreases to about 74-80%.
• The study also revealed that even with long-term freezing, the reduction in survival rate is minimal, highlighting the effectiveness of cryostorage techniques.

Although the survival rate decreases from 85% to around 74% after many years, the viability remains significant, making long-term sperm preservation a reliable option.

However, the standard storage period of sperm in Sperm banks is around 10 years, which differs from country to country depending on the law.

You Get Pregnant if There is Sperm Around Vagina?

Yes, you can get pregnant if there is sperm around Vagina and hasn't dried. It’s a myth that sperms are killed by oxygen. Sperm are mobile until the seminal fluid dries out.

For instance, if you engage in unprotected anal intercourse, you might believe that you are not at risk of becoming pregnant. However, fresh sperm may leak and remain close to the vaginal entrance. It may be able to fertilise the egg if it remains moist and travels up the vagina, through the cervix into the uterus.

What are the Factors Affecting Sperm Lifespan Inside the Vagina?

Certain factors affects the sperm lifespan inside the vagina. It includes:

• The Environment of the Uterus

The duration sperm can survive in the uterus is mostly determined by the uterine environment. Sperm have a better chance of surviving in the vagina if the cervical mucus is fertile. Only the motile sperm can swim through the cervical fluid that guards the uterine opening. During ovulation, this barrier becomes thinner and changes in acidity, creating an environment that is more conducive to sperm survival. As a result, the cervical fluid serves as a store for longer sperm lifespans.

• The Health of Women

The health of the woman's uterus, fallopian tubes, and vagina determines the survival of the sperm. The fluid in a woman's reproductive system contains all the nutrients that sperm needs to live in her body. The sperm can live for a long time if the lady is healthy and all of the vaginal fluids are in a normal and healthy state.

If there are unfavourable conditions inside the woman’s body, the sperm can die instantly.

• Level of pH

The vaginal canal is acidic by nature. The fluid that protects the uterine entrance (cervix) thins and changes its acidity during ovulation to prolong the sperm's life. Only the healthiest sperm can make it through the first twelve hours after entering the vagina.

How Long Does it Take New Sperm to Form?

A germ cell needs about two and a half months to develop into a sperm cell that can fertilise an egg. That may seem like a long time, yet the majority of men generate millions of sperm per day. A healthy male will always have sperm cells in his semen and won't run out of sperm, even if he ejaculates multiple times a day, because the male body produces sperm cells continuously.

In other words, if a woman is in the fertile window of her menstrual cycle, a guy can get her pregnant at any time.

A man's sperm quality and quantity tend to decrease with age, and his sperm may include more mutations. Lifestyle and health issues might potentially impact sperm quality or reduce sperm count. With a decreasing sperm count, sperm motility (the proportion of moving sperm), or sperm quality, the likelihood of conception may decrease.

Summing It Up

Understanding how long sperm can survive inside the uterus is crucial, especially when trying to conceive. While sperm can live for up to five days in the female reproductive system under ideal conditions, factors like cervical mucus quality, sperm health, and timing play significant roles.

Knowing the lifespan of sperm helps couples plan intercourse more effectively, increasing the chances of conception. If you’re planning a pregnancy or facing challenges, consulting a fertility specialist can provide personalised insights and guidance.

Be informed and you’re already a step closer to making parenthood possible.