How Long Can Sperm Live inside woman body?

Many people wonders about the question: "how long can sperm live?" Typically, sperm doesn't last too long. It only takes a few minutes for sperms to dry out and die, if it ends up anywhere other than the female's vagina. However, there are always exceptions. Depending on the moisture and temperature of the surface, sperm can last up to several hours after ejaculation. 

How Long Can Sperm Live Inside the Body?

The issue is often debated with all kinds of theories that support all sorts of arguments. But in actual sense, how long can sperm live inside the body? Depending on different situations, sperms can survive from hours to 7 days inside a female's body.

When a man ejaculates inside a woman, very few sperms survive long enough to make an attempt at fertilization. In order to do this, they have to get as far as they can in the cervix.

• If the sperms fail to make it into the cervix, the acidic conditions in the vaginal canal make it impossible for them to survive longer than a few hours;
• If they manage to do that, they can survive for up to 3-4 days;
• Under these ideal circumstances, sperm can survive for up to 7 days.  Around ovulation time, a woman’s body produces cervical mucus that makes the conditions in the vagina favorable for sperms, which makes it much easier for them to go beyond the cervix and into the fallopian tubes.

How Long Can Sperm Live Outside the Body?

The question “how long does sperm live outside the body?” also does not have a definite answer. Nevertheless, sperm can only survive for about 20 minutes to an hour depending on its level of exposure to the air and environmental factors.
After ejaculation, semen dries up, rendering the sperm useless. But if a couple does not want baby now, except for the sperm surviving time, they should also bear the following things in mind:

• They should ensure the ejaculated semen stays far enough from the vagina in case it takes its 20 more minutes to find its way into the vagina.
• The natural lubricant ejected from the penis during sex could also contain sperm. If a couple relies on withdrawal as a contraception method, they need to put this into consideration.

How Long Can an Egg Live?

A woman’s egg is released from the ovary and will journey through the Fallopian tube. If it is not fertilized by a sperm, the egg will die within about 12 to 24 hours. During this time, if a live sperm enters the egg, fertilization can occur – even if the sperm has been in the woman’s body for several days. Ovulation happens on 14th day of the calendar but sometimes on 13th day.

Chances of Pregnancy

Based on the amount of days a sperm can live inside the female body and ovulation day, we can easily infer that seven to five days before ovulation can lead to pregnancy. As long as one sperm remains alive, there is a chance of pregnancy. About 24 hours after ovulation, the risk of pregnancy disappears when the woman’s egg dies.

How Many Sperms do You Need to Be Pregnant?

The World Health Organization reports that a healthy man’s semen will contain about 100 million sperm in each ejaculation. Most of these sperm will never complete the journey to the Fallopian tubes to meet up with the egg. Even for those sperm that do make the journey, the egg is well-protected and only the heartiest sperm will be able to penetrate the tough egg membrane. However, you should be aware that it only takes one sperm to make a woman pregnant.

How to Improve Sperm Health

If you and your partner want to get pregnant, there are several steps a man can take to ensure healthier sperm.

1. Eat a Healthy Diet

One of the most important steps is to eat a healthy diet that is high in protein, rich in vegetables and fruit and low in fat. Eat fish, low-fat meat, eggs and plenty of whole grain foods. Nuts and seeds are thought to help increase sperm count – eat plenty of peanuts, cashews and sunflower seeds.
Just as important is to avoid certain foods. Soy products tend to increase estrogen levels which will cause a decreased production of sperm. High fructose foods can lead to insulin resistance which may also cause decreased sperm numbers. Some studies seem to indicate that drinking large amounts of caffeinated beverages may cause decreased sperm production.

2. Exercise Properly

Moderate exercise will help to increase testosterone levels and testosterone is critical for sperm production. Be aware that exercising too much can release hormones that will cause a decrease in testosterone. Work with a trainer or your healthcare provider to determine the level of exercise that will lead to the greatest production of testosterone and sperm. Avoid anabolic steroids that tend to build muscle, but may also cause your testicles to shrink. In addition to the other negative effects of steroids, they may also cause decreased sperm production.

3. Reduce Stress

The Mayo Clinic reports that increased stress can decrease your sperm production. Try to decrease the length of your work day if possible. If not possible, use relaxation and stress reduction techniques throughout the day. The hormones released during periods of stress may actually block the cells that regulate testosterone and sperm production. Get enough sleep each night. At least eight hours of sleep will help your body stay stress-free – and will help your sperm production.

4. Stop Smoking

Smoking tobacco or other substances may decrease your sperm production. In addition, smoking seems to affect the motility of sperm causing them to move slower. Smoking may also lead to deformities in sperm which may result in decreased effectiveness. Stop smoking to increase your chances of making a baby.

5. Quite Drinking

Drinking alcohol may result in liver problems. These liver problems may increase your estrogen levels and decrease your testosterone levels. Both of these levels are critical in determining how many sperm you will produce. The less alcohol you drink, the more likely you will be to produce more testosterone and sperm. Quit drinking if you can, but at least cut down on your alcohol consumption.

6. Stay Away from Toxins

Finally, stay away from chemicals and toxins. If your job requires you to use toxins, protect yourself by wearing protective clothing, breathing masks, and goggles. At home, use natural products for cleaning. Be aware that toxins can not only affect the number of sperm, but they can also cause defects in your sperm that can affect the motility and effectiveness of the sperm.