How long can an egg survive?

The egg is a reproductive cell in the female body. Only when the egg and sperm combine can a fertilized egg be formed, which then implants in the uterus and develops into an embryo. You know, women ovulate every month, so many people express confusion. Just like men's sperm, eggs also have a survival time. So, how long can an egg survive in a woman's body after it is expelled?

Egg survival time

For a woman, the possibility of pregnancy begins with the two ovaries, small, oval-shaped organs attached to either side of the uterus that are filled with eggs.

The survival time of an egg is 1-2 days, and its strongest fertilization ability is within 24 hours after ovulation. Sperm can survive for 2 to 3 days after entering the female reproductive tract, so it is easiest to get pregnant when having sex during the ovulation period, and the further away from the ovulation period, the less chance of getting pregnant. The 5 days before and 4 days after ovulation, a total of about 10 days, are the fertile period, and the rest of the time is a relatively safe period. During the ovulation period, you can have sex once a day.

In normal women of childbearing age, one egg matures and is released from the left or right ovary every month. After the egg is released from the follicle, it usually takes 8 to 10 minutes for the fimbria of the fallopian tube to be absorbed into the fallopian tube cavity and reach the connection point between the ampulla and the isthmus of the fallopian tube. The egg then stays here, waiting for the arrival of sperm. Generally, fertilization occurs within 12 hours after ovulation, and the entire fertilization process takes about 24 hours.

The lifespan of an egg is much shorter than that of a sperm, and its survival time is 12 to 24 hours. If the egg that enters the fallopian tube meets the sperm within 24 hours, the sperm and egg can combine and fertilize. If the sperm and egg lose the opportunity to meet at this stage, the egg will lose the ability to be fertilized and die. Therefore, pregnancy is only possible if you have sex during the middle of your period, that is, within 1 to 2 days before or after ovulation.