How long does it take for sperm to die?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2004
How long does it take for sperm to die?
2
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 8:11am
Hi,

I was making out with my boyfriend last night, and I got sperm all over my hand. I did go to sleep, and then about 8 hours later, I woke up. I went to the bathroom, but I was wondering, isn't sperm dead by then? I've heard so many different answers, I'm confused. Thanks!

Beach Siggy
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2003
Tue, 11-02-2004 - 9:27am
You should be fine. Sperm can have a long life (around 5 days) if there is fertile cervical fluid. I'm pretty sure they can only live a maximum of a couple hours without it.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 11-03-2004 - 6:15am
Dude, wash your hands! :p I'm teasing... To live, sperm do need a fertile environment, and the open air is probably not going to aid their survival at all. All we know, as far as I know, though, is how they respond in the vagina, I'm not sure if there have been any open-air tests.
Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control