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How Long Can Sperm Live After Ejaculation?

Posted on Mon, 23 Jan 2017

Question: Hi Doctor.how long can sperms stay in the vagina for it to be detected on high vaginal swab result?

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
For 24 hours

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM.Thanks for trusting us with your health query. Sperms remain viable in female genital tract for 24 hrs.After that they are non viable. High vaginal swab can show sperms but they are non viable . Regards Dr Manisha Jain.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (44 minutes later)

Thank you.so in short it cn be seen on a HVS after 24 hours but it's not viable?then how long cn it be in the vagina for it not to completely show on HVS viable or not viable?

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (21 hours later)

Brief Answer:
10-14 hours

Detailed Answer:
They can stay in vagina for even 5 days but generally are immobile so do not swim up to meet the egg in Fallopian tubes.

So high vaginal swabs can detect only till 10-14 hours maximum.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Manisha Jain (3 hours later)

Thank u.all this was Jst to add to my little knowledge abt HVS and life span of the sperm..am a nurse and I thought and learnt that the acidic environment of the vagina can't make sperm survive for a long time inside there and that when deposited in the woman's body sperm swims up the genital tract in order to meet the egg for fertilisation so it doesnt take a long time in the vagina.now some one was telling me they had sex and did a high vaginal swab abt 26 to 30 hours later and it showed spermatozoa present but I had all the doubts.is it possible?

What am not sure about though was whether they were viable or non viable.Jst wanted to be sure if it can show on HVS several hours after sexual intercourse like 24 to 26 hours regardless of its state

Answered by Dr. Manisha Jain (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes not viable

Detailed Answer:
Yes indeed it is possible to have it at 48 hours even, but won't be viable for sure because as you rightly said there is acidic environment in vagina

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar