# Semen survival question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semen-survival-question/704851>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 17, 2014, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semen-survival-question/704851 "2014-11-17T13:42:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Henryunderborn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@Henryunderborn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Henryunderborn)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semen-survival-question/704851/1 "2014-11-17T13:42:24Z")

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How long can semen last on a piece of Kleenex in a bag full of kleenexes with semen on them, at room temperature?

With the same conditions, is there any sort of anti spermicide, that can allow the semen to keep beyond that point.  
The backstory was really not so inappropriate or confusing against the life factor of humans reproduction and the reproduction tool. Like… Mirrors are inappropriate?

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**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/semen-survival-question/704851/2 "2014-11-17T15:26:38Z")

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From [this site:](http://www.babymed.com/info/sperm-life)

> [@](#):
>
> •Exposed to air, on a cold surface or clothing, for example, sperm usually die within minutes  
> •In a closed and clean container at body temperature, sperm can survive for 4-6 hours or even more  
> •Sperm can be frozen at extremely low temperatures (but not in the refrigerator) and survive for years  
> •Sperm can survive in the vagina for up to several hours  
> •Most sperm die in the cervix within 24-48 hours, but some can survive for 4-5 days