Dublin, NH
A 18-year-old male asked:
How long after sperm hits oxygen does it take to die?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Neeoo Chinanswered
Fertility Medicine 42 years experience
Depends: It's not the oxygen that kills sperm it's more the ambient temperature. Also sperm does not survive well within the semen. So to answer your question the temperature matters and also the environment that the sperm is in will determine the length it survives.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
Australia
A 17-year-old female asked:
How long does it take for sperm to die when it is exposed to air?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. Pavel Conovalciucanswered
Family Medicine 25 years experience
Seconds to minutes: Sperm is very unstable in the environment and will die very quickly.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
How long does it take sperm to die after expulsion?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in

Dr. George Klauberanswered
Specializes in Pediatric Urology
Depends where: Sperm can live up to a week in the fallopian tube if they get that far. Do not survive more than a few hours in vagina unless they pass thru opening in cervix. They need to pass thru uterus to fallopian tube to survive. Die soon after ejaculation if outside vagina. Can survive many years if frozen as at a sperm bank. Need to be inserted rapidly after ejaculation if used for artificial insemination.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
How long does it take sperm to die in air.
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Pavel Conovalciucanswered
Family Medicine 25 years experience
Minutes: Sperm is very sensitive to any environment other than testicles. Even in the vagina tons of sperm cells die quickly. Outside of the body it dies quickly as it dries up.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
When sperm hits the air does it die?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in

Dr. Deborah Wonganswered
Family Medicine 36 years experience
NO: This may be a misconception for couples using the "pull out method" for contraception. Sperm may not be viable for long "out in the air" however, if you are using the pull out method for contraception, normal sperm are very active and strong swimmers, so even if most of ejaculation happens after "pull out" and , even small amounts left close to the vagina, can make a bee line to the womb.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Jul 4, 2017
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