Any male can experience blood in their semen. Known as haematospermia, it can occur at any time after puberty and it is most common between the ages of 30 to 40. During orgasm, sperm and fluid travel through the urethra from the testicles and out the tip of the penis. Bleeding can occur at any point along the urethra, causing a brown or red colour. Often, there is no pain and it is only noticed after ejaculation. Finding blood can be extremely worrying, but it is rarely an indicator of any serious condition and it will often go away on its own. However, it should still be addressed and it is important to visit your doctor, especially if you have any concern.
Sometimes it may be an isolated issue, or it can be linked to other symptoms of an underlying condition. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) rarely cause it. But if it did, historically, there were 3 methods to get tested for STD’s with at-home testing added recently. You might want to schedule an std testing or find a free hiv test to determine your condition.
Similarly, rough sexual intercourse is rarely a cause, although injury to genitalia can cause bleeding during urination. Swelling, infection, blockages or injury to the male reproductive system or prostate can also cause blood in semen. It is also a known side effect of a prostate biopsy and some blood thinning medications.
In rare cases, It can be symptoms of much more serious causes. It can be caused by a benign prostate enlargement (BPH) which can cause the build up of prostate stones (similar to bladder stones). It can also be a sign of Tuberculosis, parasitic infections, testicular cancer, haemophilia and chronic liver disease.
If you find blood in you semen, you should visit you doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will give you a physical check-up and may ask for semen and run samples for testing. Typically, if it is the only symptoms you are experiencing, even after tests and physical examinations, then usually no treatment is required. It should go away with time. It may go away and come back, but generally blood in semen disappears without treatment and does not increase risk of other diseases. Isolated, blood in semen does not put your sexual partner at risk either.
Should you be experiencing other symptoms, blood in your semen might have an underlying cause that requires you to get proper treatment.
The doctors at Southgate Medical have expertise in Men’s Health and can be consulted if you have any concerns about this issue.