Journey of Sperm
The journey of sperm begins with ejaculation. Sperm are deposited high in the vagina, close to the cervix and the opening into the woman’s womb. From a sperm’s perspectives the vagina is a very hostile place. That’s why women release only one egg per month, but men unleash millions of sperms when they ejaculate. If a man produces too few sperms, he is under a higher risk of infertility.
So what are the many pitfalls and hazards the sperm encounters along its way inside a woman’s body?
Professor Allan Pacey takes us through the entire journey a sperm has to make in order to fertilise an egg: from the vagina and cervix, through the womb, and into the Fallopian tubes. The Great Sperm Race series explains this journey and why only one sperm can “win”. Read more to understand why the timing of intercourse and quality of sperm are so important when you are trying to conceive.