The Lifespan of Sperm Cells

The lifespan of sperm after ejaculation varies depending on the circumstances.

Sperm that is ejaculated can remain viable within the female reproductive tract for several days, enabling fertilization for up to five days as long as the sperm remains alive.

Sperm can also be preserved for decades through semen freezing. They stay viable for many years when stored in a properly controlled environment.

If you’re planning to undergo procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF), remember that the lifespan of sperm that is washed can remain viable in an incubator for up to 72 hours.

In this article, learn about the lifespan of sperm both inside and outside the body.

How Lifespan of Sperm Affect Pregnancy?

Sperm cells swim to and fertilize the female eggs, resulting in pregnancy. The lifespan of sperm is a significant factor that determines its effectiveness in fertilizing an egg. When sperm is ejaculated into a female’s body, it travels up through the cervix to fertilize the eggs released by the female’s ovaries.Let’s discuss the lifespan of sperm in different circumstances:

Lifespan of Sperm in the Female Body

Males are capable of releasing about 1.5 to 5 ml of sperm into the female’s body at one time. When inside the female body, the male sperm can survive for up to 5 days after being released. The presence of nourishing fluids inside the female’s body ensures that the sperm cells stay alive until they can fertilize the eggs released. This essentially means that a woman can still get pregnant even five days after intercourse.

Lifespan of Sperm Outside the Body

Sperm is designed to survive inside the female body to enable the highest probability of conception. It cannot survive for long in an environment it is not designed for. If ejaculation happens outside the female body, for example, during the “pull-out” or withdrawal method of sexual intercourse, the sperm can survive only for up to an hour.

Until the time the fluid covering the cells keeps the sperm alive, the sperm can survive; when the fluid dries out, the sperm cells die.

With that said, it is still possible that the female may get pregnant even when the partner practices the withdrawal method.

Not many studies exist to corroborate this, but it is believed that pre-ejaculation fluid that escapes the male’s genitalia can survive long enough for impregnation to happen.

Lifespan of Frozen Sperm 

Scientists have discovered that sperm can stay alive for many years when frozen. This is a very useful finding for men who are undergoing infertility treatment or stand a risk of losing fertility due to diseases like cancer.

Freezing sperm enables men to remain fertile and use high-quality sperm at a later date even if their sperm quality at that time is poor.

When frozen at -196° (provided that this temperature remains fairly stable for as long as the sperm is stored frozen), the sperm passes into a suspended animation state wherein the biological processes come to a complete pause.

This elongates the lifespan of sperm and allows its survival until it is needed for fertilization or pregnancy.

Lifespan of Sperm inside the testicles

Testicles are the part of the male reproductive system that is responsible for manufacturing and storing sperm. It typically takes around 72 days to produce sperm; however, the process is continuous. The testicles constantly produce and store sperm.

In an average male, mature sperm can survive inside the testicles for a period of a few weeks. However, the longer the sperm remains inside the testicles, the faster its quality declines.

As a result, abstinence is not good for sperm health, even though the sperm count may increase during that time.

How does Sperm Health Affect the Lifespan of Sperm?

The quality of sperm is significantly influenced by a man’s lifestyle choices. A healthier lifestyle contributes to healthier sperm with a longer lifespan. Sperm production in a man’s body is closely tied to his overall health and dietary habits. Here are some factors that can negatively impact sperm health and longevity:

• Jobs that encourage unhealthy hours of working
• Stres
• Tobacco, drugs, and alcohol use
• Weight of the male
• Unfavourable temperatures for the testicles
• Exposure to certain chemicals
• X-Rays, radiation
• Heavy metals in the body
• Infections, diseases
• Hormonal imbalances
• Surgeries or medication
• Genetic factors
• Physical issues
• Varicocele
• Age
• Physical trauma to the testes

If you are aiming for a successful pregnancy, it is necessary to check against all the issues that could be causing the sperm to not function properly.

The reasons mentioned above encompass all the likely problem areas – lifestyle, medical and environmental. Considering each issue one by one to rule it out is a good approach to determining whether or not the sperm is healthy enough for a pregnancy.

If not, the doctor may ask you to make certain lifestyle changes and take medications to help the case.

Conclusion

The lifespan of sperm varies depending on the circumstances, with the reproductive cycle optimized to occur within the female body, enhancing sperm survival. However, successful pregnancy not only relies on sperm survival but also on its health. Making healthy choices ensures healthier sperm. If you’re striving to turn your dreams of fatherhood into reality, consult our fertility specialist for personalized guidance and treatment plans.