Can Women Make Sperm? The Truth Behind the Science

Let’s start with the TL;DR: biologically, most women don’t make sperm. The usual setup is ovaries = eggs, testes = sperm. But as with anything in sex, gender, and science—there are always exceptions, side notes, and surprise plot twists. Whether you’re here out of curiosity, queerness, or questioning your biology class flashbacks, we’ve got you.

It turns out that while typical ovaries don’t crank out sperm cells, there are rare medical conditions, gender-diverse experiences, and boundary-pushing lab breakthroughs that all complicate the headline. So, sit back, and let’s explore.

Before we get into the wild edge cases, we need a refresher on how sperm and eggs (aka gametes) usually come to be.

Chromosomes and the SRY Gene: Your Body’s Gamete Switchboard

Every embryo starts with gonads that can go either way: ovary or testis. If there's a Y chromosome with a working SRY gene , your body flicks the switch and builds testes. No SRY? You’re working with XX chromosomes , and your gonads develop into ovaries.

Spermatogenesis vs. Oogenesis: The Great Gamete Divide

• Spermatogenesis (how sperm is made): Starts at puberty, never stops. It’s like the Amazon Prime of gamete production—always delivering.

• Oogenesis : Eggs are more precious. You’re born with all you’ll ever have, and one gets released per cycle like it’s starring in its own monthly episode of The Bachelor.

This is why ovaries don’t just start popping out sperm cells. Their factory setup is fundamentally different.

Sometimes, the body scribbles outside the chromosomal lines. Enter Differences (or Disorders) of Sex Development (DSDs) —natural variations that can change how reproductive organs form.

46,XX Testicular DSD: The SRY Hitchhiker

• What happens: The SRY gene accidentally jumps onto one of the X chromosomes during sperm formation. That XX embryo? It now develops testes.

• Do they make sperm? Usually not. These individuals often have azoospermia (zero sperm in the ejaculate) because they’re missing other critical sperm-producing genes normally found on the Y chromosome.

Ovotesticular DSD (formerly “true hermaphroditism”)

• What it is: A person is born with both ovarian and testicular tissue. Sometimes it’s even fused together into a single ovotestis .

• Sperm production? Rare. There are isolated case studies of limited spermatogenesis, but functional sperm is nearly nonexistent.

In both cases, even if testicular tissue exists, it usually can’t complete the job of making viable sperm. Think of it like having a car without an engine: the parts are there, but it’s not going anywhere.

Now let’s be clear— gender identity ≠ gamete production. Here's how that plays out:

• Trans women (assigned male at birth, identify as women) often have testes and can produce sperm—unless they’ve undergone surgeries or hormone therapy that suppresses it. So yes, some women do make sperm.

• Trans men (assigned female at birth, identify as men) generally have ovaries and do not produce sperm, even though testosterone therapy can induce other masculine characteristics.

If you define “woman” socially (as most of us should), then some women absolutely produce sperm. And others absolutely don’t. Welcome to the spectrum, baby.

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Now this is where things get juicy. Thanks to in vitro gametogenesis (IVG), scientists are exploring ways to turn ordinary skin cells into sperm or eggs. Sounds like sci-fi, but it’s edging into reality.

How It Works (Very Briefly)

Researchers can take skin or blood cells, reverse-engineer them into pluripotent stem cells, and then coax them into germ cells —the precursors of sperm and eggs. This could theoretically allow anyone, regardless of sex or gender, to create viable gametes in a lab dish.

Recent Highlights

• A 2024 study in Nature reported a breakthrough in “ epigenetic resetting,” helping stem cells behave more like real-deal sperm or egg cells.

• In 2025, the UK's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) announced that lab grown sperm may be on the brink of being viable for use—though not without major ethical debate.

If all goes well (and ethically), cisgender women may one day produce female sperm cells from their own somatic cells. That’s right—two-egg partnerships creating biological kids? Science is getting closer.

Let’s address the Google-famous question: Do ovaries make sperm?
The answer remains no —ovaries are not in the sperm-making business. Their biological design supports oocyte (egg) development, not spermatogenesis.

But thanks to research on in vitro gametogenesis and the emerging field of lab grown sperm, that might not always be the case. Someday, a woman’s own skin cells may help her create sperm in a petri dish. It's not ovary magic, but it's still kind of miraculous.

So, do women make sperm? The answer depends on whether you're talking about cisgender women, trans women, lab techs in white coats, or people born with rare genetic traits. The short answer is usually no. The full answer? It’s one hell of a ride through genetics, identity, and cutting-edge science.

From XX testicular DSD to lab grown sperm, the spectrum of possibilities is expanding faster than your high school biology teacher would know what to do with. What’s certain is this: gender, identity, and gamete production are no longer confined to tidy textbook definitions.

If you're navigating fertility, gender transitions, or just want to make sure your gametes (whatever type you’ve got) are in top form, Popstar’s here to help. Your body, your biology, your brilliant future.