Sperm Lifespan Inside the Female Body

October 30, 2019 by Tracy Jensen

Sperm Lifespan Inside the Female Body.

How long can the male sperm actually live inside the female body? This is a question that many men have asked themselves – some in a higher state of panic than others!

When sperm are inside a woman’s body, they generally live for about 5 days.

In some cases, sperm can live inside a woman’s body for up to 7 days. If you’re a man and you have sex even a few days before your partner ovulates, there’s chance she may get pregnant.

The fluid in a woman’s reproductive tract has all of the nutrients that sperm need for their survival during that time.

Once inside the female reproductive tract, the sperm cells must swim through the cervix and into the uterus to reach the fallopian tubes and female egg. It is a very long journey for sperm cells to make and very few survive.

How long does sperm live for?

Many people know surprisingly little about sperm, which shouldn’t come as a huge surprise considering they are invisible to the naked eye. One of the most common questions we hear about sperm is: “how long does sperm live?”

This question has two different answers, depending on if you’re talking about how long sperm lives inside the man’s testicles – or how long sperm can live outside of the body. On a dry surface, such as clothing or bedding, sperm usually are dead by the time the semen has dried. In water, such as a warm bath or hot tub, they’ll likely live longer because they thrive in warm, wet places.

Inside the man’s body, sperm can live for several months. It is generally known that most men produce millions of new sperm every day. However, you might not know that these new sperm take about 2 ½ to 3 months to fully mature. You might not also realize that when sperm are initially formed within the testicles, they lack the ability to swim forward or fertilize an egg until they make their way through the reproductive tract.

Overall, the sperm “regeneration cycle” takes about 74 days.

How long can sperm survive inside a woman and get her pregnant?

Seeing as how sperm can live up to a week inside the female body, a woman can get pregnant for about 7 days after intercourse. For pregnancy to happen, the egg must be fertilized by a sperm within this time. Sperm can live for up to 7 days inside a woman’s body. So if you’ve had sex in the days before ovulation, the sperm will have had time to travel up the Fallopian tubes to “wait” for the egg to be released.

It takes just one sperm to fertilize a woman’s egg. Keep in mind, though, for each sperm that reaches the egg, there are millions that don’t.

On average, each time a man ejaculates he releases nearly 100 million sperm. Why are so many sperm released if it takes only one to make a baby? The mortality rate of sperm is extraordinarily high – and only a select few will ever survive the arduous journey to have a chance to fertilize the egg.

To meet the waiting egg, semen must travel from the vagina to the Fallopian tubes, a tough journey that few sperm survive. Experts believe this process may be nature’s way of allowing only the healthiest sperm to fertilize the egg, to provide the best chances of having a healthy baby.

Does the “Withdrawal Method” work for birth control?

The ‘withdrawal method’, or when the male “pulls out” of the female before ejaculation, is notoriously unreliable. Before ejaculation occurs, a small amount of semen, also known as “pre-cum,” leaves the penis. There is some debate as to whether this fluid contains sperm cells. Until researchers are sure, it is best to assume that pregnancy is possible if this fluid comes into contact with a woman’s vagina.

According to Planned Parenthood, if the withdrawal method is performed correctly 100 percent of the time, it is about 96 percent effective. However, most people are not able to perform it correctly every time, making the actual effectiveness somewhere around 78 percent. This means that each year, 22 out of 100 women using this method will get pregnant, or around 1 in 5.

Withdrawal is more effective when combined with other methods of contraception, such as male or female condoms or spermicide.

When using this method, it is also essential to make sure that ejaculation occurs away from the vaginal opening. It is still possible for pregnancy to happen if the sperm spills onto the vagina or vulva.

Can you make your sperm healthier?

Many men aren’t sure if there is anything you can do to improve the health of your sperm. In fact, there are many steps men can take to improve their sperm health. Many of the things you can do to improve your overall health will also make your sperm healthier as well. Improving sperm health is a must for any couples experiencing problems conceiving a child.

Luckily there are several things men can do to improve their overall sperm health.

6 Tips for Sperm Health

Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or obese can directly impact sperm production and the hormones needed to support the process.
Quit Smoking: Smoking cigarettes has been associated with a lower sperm count when compared with men who do not smoke.
Reduce Alcohol Use: Alcohol use can impact testosterone levels, which will, in turn, decrease sperm count.
Take a Sperm Supplement/Vitamin: Taking a sperm supplement can provide the body with the perfect combination of vitamins and minerals needed for optimal semen production and sperm health
Stop Using Drugs: Anabolic steroids, marijuana, and cocaine have all been linked with decreased sperm production.
Keep the Testicles Cool: Spending time in saunas or hot tubs, wearing tight underwear or pants, and placing a laptop computer directly on the lap may all increase the temperature of the scrotum and reduce sperm production.

Healthy sperm is a cornerstone of male fertility and vital for impregnating your partner if you’re trying to conceive. Taking steps to having healthier sperm will result in several spin-off benefits to both your sexual function and your overall health.

Keep in mind that sperm take about 2-3 months to reach maturity. This means that the things you do to improve your health may not be fully reflected in your sperm for a couple of months or more. For example, once a lifestyle change has been made—such as quitting smoking—it takes about 2 ½ to 3 months for those healthier sperm to appear in the ejaculate.

Improving your sperm health and male fertility is not a complex situation. Generally, a “heart-healthy” lifestyle is also a “sperm-friendly” lifestyle: eating a good diet, exercising regularly and moderately to maintain a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco use, and consuming alcohol and caffeine in moderation are wise choices.

If you need to improve your sperm health as quickly as possible, we recommend taking a specially formulated sperm supplement which will go a long way to restoring your body’s levels of crucial vitamins, minerals, proteins, and amino acids.

We hope this article answers your questions about sperm and how long they can live under various circumstances. If you have more questions regarding semen or sperm just let us know as we’re always on the lookout for new sperm topics to write about!

5 Tips for Healthy Sperm.

January 25, 2019 by Brett Jones

How To Make Sure You Have Healthy Sperm.

Many men are concerned about their fertility, especially as it pertains to the health of their sperm.

Healthy sperm, and producing enough sperm – are the two key components in male fertility. If you’re not making enough sperm – or if your sperm aren’t healthy – then your chances of conceiving a child are drastically reduced.

The good news is that you can positively affect both the health AND quantity of your sperm.

As we get older – men tend to produce both less sperm AND less semen. Some of this is just the natural progression of aging. Some of it is lifestyle or nutritional choices which aren’t great for our health or semen production. However, there are things you can do to quite easily increase seminal fluid production and improve sperm health and motility at the same time.

Sperm and male fertility:

Most people probably don’t give much thought to sperm regeneration until perhaps conception appears that it’s taking longer than it should. The good news, there are some very tangible lifestyle changes that men can make to improve their sperm health and overall fertility.

It is generally known that most men produce millions of new sperm every day. However, you might not know that these new sperm take about 2 ½ to 3 months to fully mature. You might not also realize that when sperm are initially formed within the testicles, they lack the ability to swim forward or fertilize an egg until they make their way through the reproductive tract.

How can I keep my sperm healthy?

Sperm are living cells within the male body and are subject to whatever conditions the rest of the body is exposed to throughout their development cycle. Extreme temperatures, smoking, drug use, and poor diet can all impact the quality of sperm.

For this reason, men looking to increase the chances of conception should consider making healthful lifestyle changes. Most fertility doctors would tell their male patients that a “heart-healthy” lifestyle is a “sperm-friendly” lifestyle: eating a good diet, exercising regularly and moderately to maintain a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco use, and consuming alcohol and caffeine in moderation are all good choices that will improve your sperm’s overall health.

Men should be aware that making positive lifestyle and/or nutritional changes may take a bit of time to fully kick in. Because of the life cycle of sperm production, once a lifestyle change has been made—such as quitting smoking—it takes about 2 ½ to 3 months for those healthier sperm to appear in the ejaculate.

5 Tips for keeping your sperm happy and healthy.

There are many things that any guy can do to boost both sperm production and especially sperm health. Here are 5 quick tips to increasing the volume of your ejaculations:

Heat = Bad. It’s important to note that too much heat on or near the testicles can be dangerous. Sperm counts and quality can be adversely affected by hot baths, hot tubs, and long trips to the sauna or steam room.
Watch the laptop. Be mindful to not rest laptops directly on the lap but instead place a pillow or book in between. (See above)
Lifestyle Changes. Exercising and especially quitting smoking will both help your ejaculate volume
Hydrate! Drink plenty of water and avoid dehydrating drinks like caffeinated beverages and alcohol
Supplements. Consider using a specialized sperm supplement

Hydration – As many of us hear quite often – hydration is very important for overall health, and nowhere is this more true than in the production of seminal fluid in men. You’ll note that seminal fluid includes the term “fluid” – and the more water you have in your system, the easier it is for your body to produce seminal fluid.

Supplements – Many modern supplements are actually formulated with the express purpose of increasing your semen and sperm health. They contain a number of vitamins, minerals, and compounds necessary for the proper production of seminal fluid. Make sure you choose a sperm supplement with high quality natural ingredients for quicker results – and to see the most noticeable improvement in your seminal fluid production.

Lifestyle Changes – Okay, many guys won’t like hearing this – but many of our everyday lifestyle choices such as drinking, smoking, and recreational drug use – can all have a very negative effect on your sperm health. Reducing or eliminating these factors will not only have a dramatic effect on your sperm – it will noticeably improve your overall health as well!

As you can see – there are many methods that men can use to improve the health of their sperm. Of course, certain things will make more of a difference than others.

Drinking 8 or more glasses of water a day should provide a fairly quick boost to the amount of semen you’re producing.

A specially formulated sperm pill will always be one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your sperm, and that’s because they contain a number of key ingredients which have all been found to boost semen and sperm production.

We review and discuss several good semen boosters on this site, so make sure you compare the best ones before you decide to go with one of these supplements.

If you do consider using a sperm pill, as many men do – make sure you purchase one that contains zinc.

Zinc is absolutely essential to healthy sperm and optimal semen production, and will make an immediate impact. Take zinc together with folic acid if possible. Zinc is an essential mineral that is instrumental in several factors of cellular metabolism. In combination with folic acid, zinc was found to increase sperm count by 74% in men who had fertility problems, according to one study.

Another dietary consideration is to make sure you’re getting certain amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. These organic compounds, taken regularly, are reputed to boost levels of semen, and are another consideration when considering a semen supplement.

Scientists believe that sperm benefit from amino acids because certain amino acids are found in large quantities in the heads of sperm. Look out for the following amino acids to increase semen:

3 Important Amino Acids for health sperm:

L-Arginine
L-Lysine
L-Carnitine

VIDEO – 5 Tips to Ensure Healthy Sperm

Improving sperm health – the hard way.

Most guys won’t like this part – but there are several habits or “lifestyle” decisions that we make everyday that can have a very negative impact on our sperm. Things like drinking alcohol, smoking, drug use, and lack of exercise all have a hand in reducing our sperm health and motility as we get older.

The longer your body has to battle these habits, the more you’ll notice the result – not only in your sperm production – but also aspects like erectile function and sexual performance. So – the “hard way” of improving your sperm health involves changing your lifestyle and leading a healthier, more active life. The good news is that your body will benefit in many ways – not just the ability to produce healthier semen and sperm.

You don’t have to change a bunch of your lifestyle choices all at once – but making gradual and permanent changes to some of your ‘bad’ habits will have a noticeable effect on your sperm health and semen production. Try adding a few more fruits and veggies to your diet, drink more water, and reduce your alcohol and tobacco use, and your sperm health will undoubtedly improve over time.

Improving sperm health – the easy way.

We know that some men will be resistant to making ANY changes to their lifestyle – and we totally get it. Guys are pretty stubborn, and we do tend to enjoy some habits which don’t necessarily work to the benefit of our health. Many guys won’t consider implementing most (or any) of the “hard” choices we’ve listed above.

While we still strongly advocate these changes because they’ll add years to your life and improve your health immensely, we are happy to tell you that there are “quick and easy” ways to help improve sperm health and motility.

We’ve already touched on the recent developments of new sperm supplements which have become extremely popular – and with good reason. A well designed semen supplement can boost your ejaculate volume by as much as 500%, and create healthier and happier sperm in the process.

Top 3 supplements to improve sperm health and motility:

Semenax – See our full Semenax review

Volumaxx – See our full Volumaxx pills review

Volume Pills – See our full Volume Pills review

As we said before – stay away from any semen pill that doesn’t contain zinc, as it’s so essential to proper semen production. If you can, try and find a product that contains L-Arginine as well, as it is vital for amino acids involved in reproduction health.

If you’re not sure which semen supplement is best for your – we’ve made it even easier! Check out our homepage for our semen pill survey tool that will help down the search by asking 7 simple questions to help you pick the perfect supplement to boost seminal fluid!

We encourage you to explore this website for many resources and tips on improving both your overall sexual health and especially your semen production and sperm health. There are many things you can do to help increase your seminal fluid – and shoot more semen. You’ll ejaculate harder and farther, and enjoy more intense orgasms as a bonus!

How Long Does Sperm Live?

September 7, 2018 by Brett Jones

How long does sperm actually live for?

Many people know surprisingly little about sperm, which shouldn’t come as a huge surprise considering they are invisible to the naked eye. One of the most common question we hear about sperm is: “how long does sperm live?”

This question has two different answers, depending on if you’re talking about how long sperm lives inside the man’s testicles – or how long sperm can live outside of the body. On a dry surface, such as clothing or bedding, sperm are dead by the time the semen has dried. In water, such as a warm bath or hot tub, they’ll likely live longer because they thrive in warm, wet places.

Inside the man’s body, sperm can live for several months. It is generally known that most men produce millions of new sperm every day. However, you might not know that these new sperm take about 2 ½ to 3 months to fully mature. You also might not realize that when sperm are initially formed within the testicles, they lack the ability to swim forward or fertilize an egg until they make their way through the reproductive tract.

Overall, the sperm “regeneration cycle” takes about 74 days.

How long does sperm live inside a woman?

When sperm are inside a woman’s body, they generally live for about 5 days. In some cases, sperm can live inside a woman’s body for up to 7 days. If you’re a man and you have sex even a few days before your partner ovulates – there’s chance she may get pregnant.

The fluid in a woman’s reproductive tract has all of the nutrients that sperm need for their survival during that time.

Once inside the female reproductive tract, the sperm cells must swim through the cervix and into the uterus to reach the Fallopian tubes and female egg. It is a very long journey for sperm cells to make and very few survive.

How long does sperm live inside you to get pregnant?

About 7 Days. Seeing as how sperm can live up to a week inside a woman, you can get pregnant for about 7 days after intercourse. For pregnancy to happen, the egg must be fertilized by a sperm within this time. Sperm can live for up to 7 days inside a woman’s body. So if you’ve had sex in the days before ovulation, the sperm will have had time to travel up the Fallopian tubes to “wait” for the egg to be released.

It takes just one sperm to fertilize a woman’s egg. Keep in mind, though, for each sperm that reaches the egg, there are millions that don’t.

On average, each time a man ejaculates he releases nearly 100 million sperm. Why are so many sperm released if it takes only one to make a baby? The mortality rate of sperm is extraordinarily high – and only a select few will ever survive the arduous journey to have a chance to fertilize the egg.

How long does sperm last in a hot tub?

For some strange reason, we get quite a few e-mails wondering how long sperm lives in a hot tub. We’re not sure why this is – but it seems like at least a few guys are getting busy in the comfort of their hot tubs!

In the hot tub, sperm cells can not live for very long at all. In most cases, sperm cannot survive for longer than a few seconds after being exposed to the chemicals and hot water. Pregnancy from someone ejaculating into a hot tub and then entering the vagina, would be very rare and likely not even possible.

In a warm bath that was not too hot, sperm cells could likely survive for a few minutes. However, it is very unlikely that sperm would be able to find their way through the tub water and into the vagina of a female. Pregnancy occurring in this manner would also be very difficult, if not impossible.

However, if a couple were having intercourse in the water, pregnancy would be just as likely because the sperm would enter directly into the female reproductive tract. The outside temperature and physical environment would not have any impact on sperm survival.

You may have heard that in some cases, a woman can get pregnant when no vaginal penetration has occurred. This is in fact true – and pregnancy can happen even if you’ve never had intercourse. This is however, extremely rare – and would only happen if the man and woman’s genitals were exposed, and the man ejaculated in the immediate area of the vagina. While not likely – it is technically possible for some of the semen to seep into the vagina and enter the woman’s body. For this reason, the male should avoid ejaculating near the woman’s vagina, as there is a remote chance that pregnancy could occur.

How can you make your sperm healthier?

5 Tips for Healthier Sperm

Don’t smoke or use illicit drugs (especially anabolic steroids)
Limit your alcohol consumption
Avoid contact with toxins like pesticides or heavy metals
Keep your scrotum cool – avoid hot baths, briefs, and tight pants
Use a daily semen/sperm boosting supplement

Healthy sperm is a cornerstone of male fertility and vital for impregnating your partner if you’re trying to conceive. Taking steps to improve your sperm health will have several spin-off benefits to both your sexual function and your overall health.

Keep in mind that sperm take about 2-3 months to reach maturity. This means that the things you do to improve your health may not be fully reflected in your sperm for a couple of months or more. For example, once a lifestyle change has been made—such as quitting smoking—it takes about 2 ½ to 3 months for those healthier sperm to appear in the ejaculate.

Improving your sperm health and male fertility is not a complex situation. Generally, a “heart-healthy” lifestyle is also a “sperm-friendly” lifestyle: eating a good diet, exercising regularly and moderately to maintain a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco use, and consuming alcohol and caffeine in moderation are wise choices.

Tips For Healthy Sperm

December 14, 2016 by Brett Jones

Tips for Healthy Sperm

Stronger…faster….more fertile…….no – we’re not talking about the six-million dollar man. We’re talking about your sperm. Duh!
It’s true, a few lifestyle changes can result in stronger, faster, healthier & happier sperm for you and your lover!

About 1 in 6 couples have trouble conceiving – and in 50% of those cases, the problem lies with the man. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health revealed that about 15% of couples have trouble conceiving – and not surprisingly, in many instances it’s the guy’s sperm that is to blame.

Luckily, there are many tips you can heed to improve your sperm health and fertility. Here are four lifestyle changes that can improve your baby-making odds – and help you slip one past the goalie!

1) Avoid Defects

Sperm are not perfectly shaped little tadpoles. In fact, 90-plus percent of the average guy’s swimmers may be too deformed to penetrate the egg. Excess free radicals may be to blame, researchers say.

According to Harvard scientists, consuming foods rich in the antioxidant lycopene is one solution. (For a quick boost, eat tomato sauce: A quarter cup has 8,500 micrograms.)

2) Hit the gym – then the bedroom

A typical ejaculation can contain 15 to 150 million sperm. To maximize your potential payload, you need to work up a sweat outside the bedroom.

In fact, Harvard researchers found that men who worked out the most had a 33 percent higher sperm count than those who exercised the least. That’s because gym time helps burn fat while boosting testosterone.

3) Lose the Mobile

Your sperm must carry out their mission in 12 to 14 hours; that’s how long the egg, once it’s released, remains viable. Success can depend on their swimming speed.

So help them out: Put down the smartphone. In a Cleveland Clinic study, men who used their phones more had decreased sperm mobility, perhaps because of these phones’ electromagnetic waves.

4) Watch the lube

Those swimmers need to stay alive—and your choice of lube matters. Even lubes that are touted as “all natural” may contain chemicals that are acidic or alkaline enough to poison your little “mini-me’s.”

In fact, some brands can wipe out 72 percent of your offering in 30 minutes, say researchers in Australia. Save your sperm with a blend designed for procreation. Or if you can, let your ‘natural juices’ pave the way – precum is actually designed to facilitate the transport of sperm, and can help aid in fertilization.

Your sperm – think of the future!

If you’re like a lot of guys, the concern about having a baby or your potential fertility may not be a hot-button topic at the moment. In fact, most of us guys spend years worrying about GETTING someone pregnant. It’s hard to flip the switch and suddenly be concerned that you might not be able to do it when needed.

If you don’t plan on having kids anytime soon (or ever) – that’s fine. But keep in mind, plans change, life happens – and what you’re thinking right now might not be how you feel in 5 or 10 years. That being the case, you really owe it to yourself (and possibly your future child!) – to keep your little soldiers in peak condition, just in case they get called into battle one day.

“Any man who wants to have kids now or in the future should be concerned about the health of his sperm and take any steps needed to improve sperm quality,” says Darius Paduch, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of urology and reproductive medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and urologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. About 30 percent of fertility problems are due to the man. Safeguarding your swimmers today could keep you from getting cozier with a sterile plastic cup than you ever imagined you would be.

More Tips for Happy Swimmers

Here are 5 additional tips you can practice to keep your little guys happy and healthy.

1) Lose the Weight

If you’re overweight or obese, shedding pounds will do more than help you look better naked—it will reinvigorate your reproductive mojo. “Excess fat can decrease testosterone levels, which affects your ability to produce sperm,” Dr. Paduch says. Fat in your belly and thighs also increases your body temperature. “The testicles are outside of your body because sperm prefer colder temperatures,” he adds. Too much heat in your loins can decrease total sperm count and motility, and cause DNA damage. “Men who lose weight improve their sperm quality naturally,” he adds.

2) Just say ‘No’ – to Soy

Raw fish is off limits for women during pregnancy while soy products—such as edamame and soy sauce—can affect sperm production. Soy contains phytoestrogens, naturally occurring compounds in plants that mimic the female hormone estrogen. Your body may respond to higher levels of estrogen by churning out less testosterone, which is essential for sperm production. In a study of mice, rodents fed a soy-rich diet had 25 percent lower sperm counts and fathered 21 percent fewer pups than those that ate a soy-free diet.

3) Activate the Gym Membership

Men who exercise about 7 hours a week have a 48 percent higher sperm count than guys who break a sweat for less than an hour a week, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health. Exercising outdoors has an especially beneficial boost, possibly due to the increased levels of vitamin D you receive from the sun, which may play a role in sperm production. In addition to helping you maintain a healthy weight, exercise can rein in stress. An Italian study found that men with the highest levels of stress and anxiety had lower sperm concentrations, decreased motility, and a greater likelihood of DNA damage compared to those with lower levels of stress.

4) Eat Better

A major factor that determines whether your sperm sink or swim is the health of your mitochondria—or your cells’ batteries. “Motility depends on the energy level of the sperm, which is determined by the mitochondria,” Dr. Paduch says. Eating a diet high in fat and light in plants can increase the risk of free radical damage, which negatively impacts the mitochondria. A study in the journal Human Reproduction found that men who downed the most fat had 43 percent lower total sperm count compared to those with the lowest fat intake. Eating plenty of antioxidant-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can combat free radicals and improve the quality and quantity of your sperm. In addition, consider taking a supplement containing L-carnitine, an amino acid that’s been shown to boost sperm count and motility, Dr. Paduch says.

5) Skip the Hot Tub

You put your time in at the gym, so now you deserve a soak in the steamer, right? Better stay on dry land, especially if you and your partner are trying to conceive. “Research in monkeys shows that just 15 minutes to half an hour in a hot tub renders them completely sterile,” Dr. Paduch says. “An increase of just 2 degrees negatively affects sperm production in humans.” His advice: A quick 10-minute soak is fine, but if you’re trying to have kids in the next 3 to 6 months, you’re better off keeping your dips infrequent and brief—or avoiding them altogether until there’s a bun in the oven.

Take control of your sexual health!

As you can see, there are many things you can do to improve your sperm health and maintain your optimum sexual potency and fertility. There are many benefits and pleasures that come with a healthy reproductive system – and they go far beyond being able to conceive a child.

Follow the tips above and you’ll enjoy better erections, improved sexual stamina – and better overall health. In fact, you’ll probably experience the best sex of your life. You can thanks us later!