Sperm survival depends on where it is deposited. Outside the body, it dies quickly, while in the vagina it can live for up to a week if it reaches the uterus. The woman’s fertility and cervical mucus quality also play a role.
The length of time that sperm can survive once it leaves the male body depends on several factors, all related to the type of conditions it is exposed to. The main determining factor for the survival of sperm is whether it is ejaculated into the female vagina or elsewhere. Sperm that is deposited outside the body typically dies quickly, usually within minutes but sometimes after several hours, depending on how quickly it dries. When sperm is ejaculated into the vagina during intercourse, it can also die quite quickly, within about half an hour, but if it gets to the uterus, it can live longer, anywhere from a day to a week. One of the most important factors involved in determining how long she lives at this point is the woman’s fertility and the quality of her cervical mucus.
The survival time of sperm is usually quite short if it ends up anywhere other than the female vagina. Once exposed to air, it begins to dry rapidly, and once dry, it dies. This process often occurs within minutes of ejaculation, but can take up to several hours. The length of survival time can be affected by factors such as the amount of moisture on the surface and temperature. It is also possible for sperm to live for a limited amount of time if it is ejaculated in other parts of the body, such as the mouth or stomach during oral sex, but the amount of time will still be minimal since conditions are not ideal.
For sperm to live as long as possible, it needs to be in the female reproductive tract, and the further it goes, the longer it tends to live. Sperm cells that only arrive in the vagina usually still die quite quickly, normally after only 20-30 minutes. Sperm survival is increased if it can travel to the uterus or beyond the fallopian tubes, usually taking a day or two. They can survive up to four or five days, however, and in extreme cases have been known to live up to a week.
Where a woman is in her monthly cycle is a major factor in how long the sperm will survive. If she is close to ovulating, a woman’s body will produce fertile cervical mucus designed to help sperm swim to the egg. The presence of this type of mucus usually helps sperm live much longer than they might at other times of the month.
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