Sperm

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Sperm

Hear this word Sperm

Also known as: seed, kids

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Digital drawing of a penis during ejaculation viewed from the side with enlarged detail of the semen. The penis is erect, with ejaculate emanating from the tip. The ejaculate is depicted as a bluish-white liquid. There is also a layer of pubic hair on the scrotum and above the genitals. Text reading “penis” with a black arrow points to the tip of the penis. Text reading “testicles” with a black arrow points to the scrotum. Text reading “semen” with a black arrow points to the lowest drop of the semen under the tip of the penis. A light blue box beneath the penis connects to the semen, showing an enlarged view of the sperm cells. There are eight, white sperm cells shown, with text above them reading “Sperm (inside semen).” Below this box is text that reads “Sperm is about 0.005 cm long. This is very small and can only be viewed with a microscope.”

Image description: Ejaculation Sperm Semen

What Is It? Illustration

What Is It?

A sperm is a sex cell that is made in the testicles. If sperm meets an egg, this could cause a pregnancy.

example

An Example

Alex and Ada do not want to create a pregnancy when they have sexual intercourse. Alex wears a condom over his penis during sex, to prevent the sperm in Alex’s semen from entering Ada’s body. If sperm gets in Ada’s body, it is possible that sperm will meet an egg cell to create a pregnancy.

A person takes a used condom off of a penis in the first picture, and drops the knotted condom in a trashcan in the second. A detail view of tadpole-like sperm between the pictures has arrows pointing to the fluid in both condoms.
Disposing of used condoms
Group 141 (1)

What to Know

Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.

Sexual & Reproductive Health

  • If one sperm cell meets a human egg cell, there is a possibility of creating a pregnancy.
  • If people are having intercourse or (penis-in-vagina sex) and they do not want to create a pregnancy, they need to use birth control or safer sex strategies to avoid pregnancy, such as using internal or external condoms.

Anatomy

  • Sperm cells are extremely small and are invisible to human beings unless a person uses a very strong microscope. Sperm cells are much smaller than a human egg cell.
  • When a person with a penis ejaculates, there are millions of sperm in that ejaculation.
  • If a person with a penis wants to become a parent but they have a low sperm count, it might be more challenging to help create a pregnancy. Speak with a health care provider such as a fertility specialist for support and more information.
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What did you learn about sperm?

To learn more about the body, explore websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub or visit other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit like our online game, Our Stories, Our Journeys: A Sexual Health Game!

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What questions do you have?

Write down or record an audio note with any questions you have to ask someone you trust. You may also find answers to your questions by using websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub.

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Learn more about other words related to Anatomy, Sexual & Reproductive Health

Breasts
Ovaries
Fallopian Tubes
Ovulation
Breastfeeding

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