Sperm can survive for several days in the body and remain capable of fertilization.

Sep 25, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My wife and I have been trying to conceive a child. I would like to know how many days my sperm can survive in the body before fertilization occurs?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Cao Zhiqiang

The survival time and fertilization ability of sperm within the female body are complex processes influenced by multiple factors. Generally, sperm can survive within the female body for approximately 24 to 48 hours, although this duration is not absolute and is influenced by various factors including sperm quality, motility, and the environment of the female reproductive tract.

After entering the female body, sperm travel through the cervical mucus toward the uterus and fallopian tubes in search of an egg for fertilization. During this process, the quality and characteristics of cervical mucus play a supportive role in sperm survival. Around the time of ovulation, hormonal changes cause the cervical mucus to become thinner and richer in nutrients, creating a more favorable environment for sperm survival and thereby extending their viability, which increases the likelihood of fertilization.

Therefore, for couples planning to conceive, understanding and tracking their physiological cycles and ovulation timing is highly important. Additionally, maintaining healthy lifestyle and dietary habits can also help improve sperm quality and survival rates, thus increasing the chances of conception.