How long is sperm viable

Here at Natural Cycles we know a thing or two about sperm survival. In fact, knowing how long sperm live is one of the key factors our smart algorithm takes into account when it calculates your daily fertility. This article is also available in Spanish. Ovulation is the point in your menstrual cycle where one of your ovaries releases an egg.

A basic high school understanding will tell you that a sperm and an egg will join to make a baby. You might not know the specific details around the lifespan of the sperm inside the vagina or the viability of egg after ovulation. If you are struggling with infertility, it is a good idea to learn a little more about the basics of sperm and egg. A healthy sperm can live from a couple of hours to as long as five days after intercourse. The lifespan of the sperm inside the vagina depends entirely on the environment they are in.

Knowing that sperm live for 3—5 days in the female reproductive system, for example, means you could have sex several days before your partner ovulates and still result in a pregnancy. One widely believed myth is that sperm only survives for a very short time. Studies show that the average length of time that sperm live, once ejaculated or inserted into the female reproductive system, is around three days. This depends on where she is in her menstrual cycle, however—with just the right timing, stronger sperm could last up to five days. A lot depends on the consistency of cervical mucus.

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