Male Puberty Issues / Question
Published: April 23, 2002

Dear TeenHealthFX,

If I get sperm on my hand and then use Purell Hand Sanitizer, will that kill the sperm or dry it out enough to be inactive? What effects does ethyl alcohol have on sperm?

Signed: Purell HAnd Sanitizer Effect On Sperm

Dear Purell HAnd Sanitizer Effect On Sperm,

 

The active ingredient in Purell Hand Sanitizer is Ethyl Alcohol (62%). Sperm tends to be very sensitive to outside agents and is easily destroyed. Therefore Purell Hand Sanitizer (ethyl alcohol) would eradicate live sperm on contact.

Just so you know how effective this product can be for killing germs in general, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended alcohol hand sanitizers as the leading tool for hand disinfections in their proposed 2002 Guideline for Hand Hygiene.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

The teenage pregnancy rate in the U.S. is at its lowest level in thirty years, down 36% since it’s peak in 1990. Research suggests that both increased abstinence and positive changes in contraceptive practice are responsible these recent declines in teen pregnancy.

Copyright 2010 Atlantic Health