Ever wondered what happens to sperm once it’s exposed to air? Does it die right away? Well, the answer is yes—sort of. When sperm comes in contact with air, it quickly loses moisture and dries up. Once it’s dried out, it’s no longer capable of fertilizing an egg. Even if you try to re-moisten it, it won’t come back to life. However, in the right environment—warm and moist—sperm can survive outside the body for 3-5 days.

Can Dry Semen Get You Pregnant?

Now that you know sperm dies when it hits the air, you might be wondering if dry semen can still get someone pregnant. The short answer: no. There’s a myth floating around that dry semen can lead to pregnancy, but that’s not true. Semen dries quickly, and sperm in it becomes inactive and infertile over time. So, if you think a dried-up spot of semen could still cause pregnancy—forget it. But, if fresh semen touches the vagina, there’s a slight chance of pregnancy, so it’s always wise to be cautious.

How Long Can Sperm Live in a Male Reproductive System?

Sperm doesn’t just hang around forever in the male body. In fact, it’s made and stored in a pretty precise process. Sperm production begins in the testicles, where cells divide and form spermatids (immature sperm). These then travel to the epididymis to mature, which takes about 2-3 weeks. If sperm aren’t released within around 74 days, they break down and are reabsorbed by the body. Various factors, like diet and health, can also affect how long sperm live and their ability to fertilize an egg.

How Long Can Sperm Live in a Female Body?

Here’s a question that’s probably crossed your mind—how long can sperm survive inside a woman’s body? Well, it depends on a few factors. When sperm enters the vagina, only a few make it to the cervix, and if they don’t, they don’t last long due to the acidic environment. But if sperm do reach the cervix, they can live for about 3-4 days. In the best-case scenario, if the woman is ovulating, sperm can survive up to 7 days thanks to cervical mucus that helps create a more welcoming environment for sperm to reach the fallopian tubes.

So, there you have it—whether sperm is exposed to air or inside the body, its survival depends on the environment. Keep this in mind if you’re ever thinking about the journey sperm makes!