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How long does sperm live?

December 23, 2007 By 50 Comments

It depends.

Inside a woman’s body, it doesn’t live long at all, if we’re referring to in the vaginal canal. Sperm that is in the vagina will leak out or die before a few hours. However, if the sperm makes it to the cervical mucus, then it can live for a day or two there. But some “top survivor” sperm will live even longer, beyond 4 days. Remember, we are talking about several millions of sperm, so they survive different durations. Because there are so many INDIVIDUAL sperm, the lifespan varies between the fastest to die and the slowest to die. It’s sort of like us asking the question “How many years can a car be driven before it needs a major repair” In general, that answer might be 1-5 years, but you can always have that one car that is still running after 10 years without a repair, even though that is an uncommon exception. So in a particular grouping of sperm, the wimpiest will die instantly, and each minute more die until after a few days, only the best survive. It’s not a scenario where the sperm all stay alive and then a biological alarm goes off and they all instantly die at the same time.

Inside the male’s body, the life span of sperm is 74 days. This means if a man does something bad for sperm (smokes marijuana or tobacco), then the sperm will be negatively affected for a long time.

Outside the body, sperm die very quickly (less than a few hours), unless of course, we are talking about sperm that is placed outside the body into a special laboratory environment. Then it can live several days. If that sperm is frozen properly, then it can live indefinitely until it is thawed.

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  • Shay

    How long can sperm survive outside the body, like in a covered cup or on a tied condom?

  • thomas

    so if i put sperm in an air tight container it may last for a few days? or should it be in a container with no oxygen?

  • Pear

    Just to double check. So that means right after the sperm (the strongest one let’s say) is being ejaculated into the cervix, it can only survive for 3-7 days (read it from other sources), meaning that it DIES after 7 days right?

  • IVF-MD

    In one single release of sperm there can be over a hundred million sperm. After one second, some are dead. After one minute, more are dead. After one hour, ever more are dead and so on and so on. The very last survivor might survive five days or more. Sperm in the vagina or the cervix probably won’t survive beyond two days. However, those that make it into the more friendly environment of the Fallopian tube can survive longer.

  • STU

    So what happens if you have sex do not ejaculate into the women and 3-4 hours after you have intercourse again. is there a chance she can still get pregnant. if the male cleans up by wiping the penis with toilet paper?

  • Jack

    Question re: lifespan of sperm outside body. You had indicated that sperm outside the body lasts a “few hours”. How much would a few hours be?

    Other sites have indicated that sperm contained in semen lasts as a long as it dries. Obviously, drying time would be dependent on volume. How long would it take sperm/semen to dry – say minimal volume approximately 1 ml in room temperature 22 degrees spread on clothing?

  • campbell

    is there a way of getting rid of the sperm in the woman?

  • IVF-MD

    Sperm moves from the vagina through the cervix into the uterus and then on towards the tubes. It’s possible to rinse sperm out of the vagina, by douching for example, but there’s no practical way to remove sperm that is deeper within.

  • Curious

    If someone is fingered with about 2-3 minutes dry pre-cum on the finger doing the job, is it likely at all to be pregnant? There was no ejaculation at all up until that point during the day, and when a previous ejaculation occured, peeing definitely took place. In addition it was a smaller amount, but i was wondering the percent chance if not more information on the liklihood of becoming pregnant from this.

  • sarah

    so if u spit sperm in a container how long will it live? can u inseminate it into your body after beng in your mouth?

  • Laura Lee

    My husband is in prison and we’re wanting to have a child. So if he ejaculates in a cup how long do i have to until it dies?

  • nava

    How long does sperm live after a man dies?

  • Nikki

    wow these questions are crazy

  • sx.e

    Hye, Mr IVF. how much time would it take for sperms to die if ejaculated on clothes. Do they die when dry. Cna they become motile again if re moistened.
    Please reply soon.

  • gladis

    Hi,
    how long does the sperms lives in the vagina after the 8 day of your cycle.
    Second question: how long does the vagina stays acidic before i start becoming fertile
    thanks

  • guest

    My Teacher Has Sayed Sperm May Live Up to 16 Days, I am Very Confused
    -Any REAL Answers Please Reply Back

  • Mrs. Beauty

    My fiancee is in prison if he ejaculates in a condom and tiesit shut how long do I have before it dies??? We are really wanting a baby please help

  • anon

    Um.
    Sperm do NOT live up to 16 days in any kind of normal conditions. Your teacher is probably trying to terrify you out of having sex (unleast the unprotected variety).

    Some helpful facts:
    If the semen dries, the sperm die.

    Sperm swim, not walk. Unless they have a continuous fluid environment, they cannot get your pregnant. I.e. if the sperm is on your thigh or clothing, it will not get you pregnant unless you find someway to create a pure liquid path from it to inside your vagina.

    Sperm are fragile. Even if there is lots of liquid, it matters what kind of liquid. Swimming pool/hot tub water is treated with chemicals that will generally kill sperm rather fast. Hot tubs are generally too hot for sperm to survive for too long. Even artificial lubes can have a ph level that is not friendly to sperm and will kill of weaker sperm and make it hard for the others to swim far enough to cause conception.

    No, there is no way of getting rid of the sperm inside the woman. You can use spermicide (usually in a film like strip you insert into the vagina – it dissolves releasing sperm-toxic chemicals, but this will only be effective against sperm still in the vagina. Any that have been pulled through the cervix are not likely to be impacted. Spermicide is designed to be used before ejaculation, not after. NOTE: Spermicide is very abrasive, harsh chemical and causes tiny little tears in the woman’s vagina making her more vulnerable to infections (yeast, urinary tract, sexually transmitted illnesses, etc). In fact, studies show that women who use spermicide on a regular basis are more liklely to contract HIV from an infected partner. I do NOT recommend using spermicide regularly, buying condoms with spermicide in their lubrication, or buying spermicidal lubes.

    On that note, most condoms, these days (due to the study mentioned above) do not contain spermicide. But to be sure, read the label. If you see in the ingredients lists “nonoxynol-9″ do not buy them.

    Pre-cum does not naturally contain sperm. The only way it can get sperm in it is if it picks up live sperm hanging out in the male’s urethra on its way out. There could really only be live sperm in the male’s urethra from a previous ejaculation IF and ONLY IF he did not urinate between the previous ejaculation and becoming aroused again. (Urine washes out any remaining sperm and raices the acidty of the urethra to a point that sperm cannot survive very long inside – the whole purpose of pre-cum is to lower that acidity (ph level) so the urethra is more sperm-friendly).

    Yes, being overweight can make it more difficult to get pregnant, but mostly becuase you are less likely to ovulate and are at higher risk of miscarraige. If you have normal, regular menstrual cycles, I would not worry about it.

    The average (DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL WOMEN OR EVEN MOST WOMEN) woman’s cycle is about 28 days. On day one, she begins menstruating. On day 12-14 she has a surge of LH (lutenizing hormone, the hormone that tells the ovary to release an egg and is detectable by home ovulation tests). On day 14-16 she ovulates. The egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube (where fertilization most frequently occurs). The egg is really only viable for about 36-48 hours before it begins to deteriorate and will no longer take a sperm. If the egg is fertilized, the single cell starts to divide and multiply becoming a zygot. The zygot will then implant in the uterine wall (womb). There may be some spotting (like having a period, only very light and for a very short period of tiem) when implantation occurs. The zygot starts producing gHb which is the hormone home pregnancy tests look for. The levels of gHb will not get high enough to be detectable until about 12 days after the egg is fertilized. At this point, the hypothetical “average woman” would have finished her cycle and would be due for her period. Not having her period is the sign that she is pregnant. A home pregnancy test would confirm. If the egg is not fertilized, it exits the body with the uterine wall lining during the woman’s period which will start as day 1 of her next cycle.

    HOWEVER – most women do not have a 28 day cycle. Some women have unpredictable cycles having two in two months, and then nothing for three or four. Some women have regular cycles, but they are much longer such as 32-45 days. Some women on birth control have light, few periods or no periods at all. Even women with regular 28 day cycles can miss a period because of stress, extreme physical exercise, dieting, being very under or over weight, or using certain hormone manipulating drugs. Therefore, do not take this exampe of “average woman’s” cycle as applicable to you or your sexual partner.

    In other words – unless you are having vaginal intercourse where the male ejaculates sperm into the female, getting pregnant is actually rather difficult. In fact, most couples who are /trying/ to get pregnant usually take an average of 6 months to get pregnant (assuming they are both fertile and reasonably healthy). However, it can still happen. It is NOT the time to “play the odds.” Being a parent is forever. Having an abortion is costly, can be difficult to obtain (depending on your location, age, and home situation), can be extremely emotionally difficult, and some people (only some) view it as immoral. Prevent unwanted pregnancies. Use condoms. Use them correctly (follow the instructions in the packaging especially regarding appropriate lubricants and how to put them on). Use them every time. Then you are 98+% covered. Hormonal birth control, when used as instructed, is also highly effective, but does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and younger women (including teens) are more likely to use it incorrectly (and therefore are at higher risk of unwanted pregnancy) such as missing doses and not using back-up birth control while taking antibiotics.

    Have other questions? Email positivesexualityKat@gmail.com

  • Samantha

    LMAOOO omfg, seriously? Some of these qustions are just plain RETARDED!

  • teja

    ive had sex with my bf on the 12th of august 2011 this month and im on the depo and i was suppose to go for my shot today the 18th and cant get it done is there a way the sperm cld still be living inside of me and i cld get preg?

  • Nicole

    i had sex for the first time last night, im on birth control and he pulled out before he came. Im not supposed to be ovulating for like 2 more weeks, is there any risk at all? Im just a nervous person by nature

  • Heather

    Nicole,

    If you’re on hormonal birth control, it prevents ovulation. If your partner pulled out before ejaculating, it is highly unlikely that any sperm would end up in your body. Also, sperm can only live in your body for 7 days max, so if you are using a type of birth control (condoms, diaphragm) which still allows you to ovulate, you’d still be protected since by the time you ovulate, any sperm will have died.

  • karin

    My dearest Nicole, please tell me you didn’t have unprotected sex that night!!???? Please tell me SOMEONE sat you down and told you that birth control is NOT 100% and that it in NO WAY protects against STDs!!! There is a small chance you may be pregnant my husband tried the “pull out” method and I was on birth control… we have a 2year old son! Now he was and is my husband so there is a difference, we got tested before our wedding, but if this man is NOT your husband and you guys haven’t been tested, the bigger question is “do I have an STD??” GO TO THE CLINIC!

  • Mandy

    lol

  • Jenny

    So me & my boyfriend were having sex & he came in me. (Even though i told him to NEVER do that) I’ve been on the combination pill for 4 months now. I caculated when i’m suposed to be ovulating & i said Nov. 6th which was yesterday but he came in me on nov. 2nd .. so whats the chance i’m pregnant?
    Shouldn’t his sperm have died before I suposively started ovulating?
    I’m freaking out about it & i would love if i got an answer back soon.

  • kim

    how long does sperm last if your on the pill?

  • shine

    Ok I had sex w/ my BF on 2 days before my ovulation started, or so that I noticed. Could I possibly be pregnant??? I don’t mind being a parent, but my concern is I used to have an IUD but when I was getn it taken out it hurt so bad that I had to get put to sleep to get it taken out. I was wondering if that effects my chances of getn pregnant ever again?

  • Casey

    hi there,

    im just wondering how long does it take for all the sperm to leak out from your vagina?? im finding that even after a few days im still feeling leakage… like i had intercourse on tuesday it is now saturday and im still feeling leakage… and what colour should i be seeing?? at first it was clearish, the next day i seen clearish yellow now today it just seems yellow…. Im a little confussed
    ?? Please help!!!

  • Sarah

    Why would you want to have a baby if your husband/boyfriend is in jail?

  • Annah

    I had sex with my boyfriend 12/19/2011 I got my period on 12/23/2011 could I still get preg?

  • Juliana Ana Escote

    some say that sperm can live outside the body within 4 or 5 days. im confused. what is really true?

  • Juliana

    ome say that sperm can live outside the body within 4 or 5 days. im confused. what is really true?

  • Evangelina

    Wow you people really are retarded. You shouldn’t be having sex if you are asking these freaking lame questions. Stupid.

  • http://AOL Jeffry J. Luce

    How can sperm be viable if frozen, and is it possible to wash this sperm prior to being frozen. I would also like to know if testertone has been used prior to IVF would it help to wash sperm prior to IVF. and approximently what would be the sperm count, the highest and lowest counts would be appreciated. If you would answer what questions to the best of your ability I would appreciate it an I’m guessing that would only be an guestament. Thank You Jeff Luce

  • Jane

    To Casey and every female: Healthy vaginal discharge is Clear; light infections/irritations may result in cloudy discharge and should clear up within days, sometimes it is just tight clothes/virus bacteria in body ie colds flu;
    ANY discharge of yellow/other colors, possible odor, should be Examined/Treated by Doctor immediately. Until you are highly experienced with vaginal infections, do not follow instructions from ‘girlfriends’ or unlicensed non-professionals; do not self-diagnose or self-medicate.
    1. Be VERY choosy/selective about your sex partner, much more than your food or clothes etc.
    Be smart; make sure the person is CLEAN, RESPECTFUL, TRUSTWORTHY on numerous levels.
    2. Use condoms, minus damaging spermicides (see above); the condoms will PROTECT YOU
    against any STDs or Possible Dishonesty…you NEVER KNOW a person completely.
    *** For Your Health Today and Future, NO-pill hormone contraceptive;
    Factual numerous damaging side effects for ‘IDEAL control specimens’; effect Sterility, Cervical/Ovarian Cancer, Endometriosis-uterine lining tissue damage displacement, Major Mood/Hormone Imbalance, Organ Damage, Blood Clots/Tumors and More.
    Increased Damage for ‘NON-IDEAL subjects’ that; smoke, drink, take other medicines, have ANY other Health Issues.

  • Jane

    Original Poster question: “How long does sperm live?”
    Also curious on this from seeing ‘sperm-freezing’ and IVF related info from Isis/Horus myth and on 2 shows, CSI and Ugly Betty. Apparently modern medicine/technology has ‘CAUGHT UP’ to ancient cultures/Egyptian IVF medical knowledge.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posthumous_sperm_retrieval
    Text: “[Isis] made…him whose heart was at rest, she drew from him his essence [sperm], and she made there from an heir [Horus].”
    Sources for text:
    http://www.sacred-texts.com/egy/leg/leg22.htm
    http://www.pantheon.org/articles/i/isis.html

  • Mickey

    Casey…. Although this is months later, you may want to get an STD test. Semen will not still be leaking out of your vagina almost a week later. This may just simple be a normal vaginal discharge, however, know one knows your body like you do. If you have never experienced discharge like that, or that color, get tested. Its worth it regardless of the result.

  • Michelle

    Once an ovulation kit detects the LH hormone when is the best time to have sex if you are trying to get pregnant. Seems like sperm doesn’t live that long and an egg isn’t released for 36 to 48 hours.

  • smarterDINu

    yes annah,…since you are retarted…you will get preg and have a retarted kid….
    you must be a stupid teenage that isnot supposted to be having sex…you little WHORE !

  • SmarterDINU

    MOST of these questions seem to be from stupid teenagers who should not be having sex to beginwith….you fucking whores…. stopd bringing barstards into the world…..Just because your governments say its ok or don’t give a shit, it does not mean, you are not bringing a bastard into the world….this goes to alllllll those adults too who have had bastards before…shame on you !!

  • colie

    You should go see your doctor, you should not be seeing leakage from sperm days later. Also please use a condom when having sex. STD’s are real and you can get one!

  • Stephlee2

    chill the hell out you nasty little person thats one of the worse comments ive ever heard..you shouid be seriously ashamed of yourself. you sound like a horrible horrible person who needs to seek help fast your not right in the head.

  • lalalalala

    Someone should have told your mother the same damn thing.

  • God Son42

    if I was to cum inside a cup, and give it to a friend an hour later can she get pregnant.

  • bh56

    Your an idiot.  Have you ever heard the phase “if you don’t have anything nice to say….don’t say anyting at all?”  And no I’m not a teenager….  Your a loser looking through pages like this just to make comments!  Now whose the idiot?……. YOU

  • Msclee

    That is so rude bearing in mind this is a forum for everyone, with the way ur talking are u sure u haven’t brought any of them in this world. Your talking like your guilty & have experienced this.

  • Ttt

    what the???

  • Ttt

    nooooooooo……

  • Fsdaccc

    He is very right teenage girls should not be pregnant at such young age.  

  • Germanjone11

    if i had sex on december 3 unprotected but he pulled out, and then sex on december 10 and he came in me, i am now pregnant and my due date is september 2…who is the baby father