How long does it take sperm to develop?

The male body constantly produces sperm through a process called spermatogenesis, with new sperm being produced every day. Whilst new sperm are produced every day, the full cycle of sperm cells maturing takes between 2-3 months, which is why we recommend taking Impryl for 3 months prior to trying to conceive. 

Do men stop producing sperm? 

Whereas women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, men are, barring serious medical conditions, constantly producing sperm throughout their lives. Millions of sperm are produced every single day although the number and quality often deteriorate with age. 

Whilst age is a factor in male fertility, it is another example of how male and female bodies are very different. It is possible for a man to successfully get a woman pregnant at a much older age than when a woman goes into the menopause – there is no male equivalent of the menopause! 

What is the life cycle of a sperm cell? 

This depends on the environment into which the sperm cell is introduced. Within the female body, sperm can live for around 5 days. The reason they can survive for so long is that a woman’s reproductive tract has the necessary fluid and nutrients that are required for sperm to survive for that time. This is vital as sperm have to undertake a long journey to the fallopian tubes to meet and fertilise the egg. 

If sperm are introduced into the air outside the body, they die in a matter of minutes. Alternatively, sperm can be frozen, often referred to as cryopreservation. In the UK the statutory maximum time for storing sperm for medical reasons is 55 years! A sperm cell’s life span really depends entirely on the environment it is introduced to and as a result its life can span from mere minutes to decades.

How to improve sperm health? 

There are a number of factors which can affect the health of your sperm. Here are a few simple tips:

• Stop smoking
• Reduce alcohol consumption 
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Limit mobile phone exposure
• Wear loose boxer shorts

If you would like to have a further in-depth analysis on your sperm health and how to improve it you can read some of our other resources:  Low sperm motility: Causes, treatments and more and What are the best ways to boost male fertility? 

Modern environmental factors are clearly having an effect on male infertility; a wide-ranging 2017 study has shown that sperm count has declined by over 50% in the last 40 years. The Telegraph has provided an excellent and simple guide to improving your sperm count which you might find useful. 

Impryl

Impryl is unique as it is one of the only male fertility supplements available on the market which is clinically proven to help increase the chances of a successful pregnancy in men suffering from infertility. Impryl is a blend of micronutrients, which have been carefully selected in order to provide balanced support to the metabolism. It is through this unique function that Impryl provides natural antioxidant support as well as optimising the genes and energy of sperm cells. 

The NHS also have a page dedicated to improving your chances of being a Dad where they answer a number of questions you might have surrounding male fertility.