Blood in semen

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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Often, no cause can be found for blood in semen. When blood in semen has an identifiable cause, it is usually trauma or infection. With infection, blood in semen is usually accompanied by other signs and symptoms, such as fever, genital or urinary pain, difficulty urinating, or blood in your urine.

Direct trauma
Semen consists of sperm and fluids released by the prostate and other glands. The fluids join the sperm as they pass through a series of tubes to the urethra for ejaculation. A number of things can break blood vessels along this route or along the urinary route to the urethra. Broken vessels then leak blood into the ejaculate, urine or both.

Possible causes of this bleeding include:

Other medical causes of blood in semen:

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

References
  1. Stefanovic KP, et al. Evaluation and treatment of hematospermia. American Family Physician. 2009;80:1421.
  2. Torigian DA, et al. Hematospermia: Imaging findings. Abdominal Imaging. 2007;32:29.
  3. Leocadio DE, et al. Hematospermia: Etiological and management considerations. International Urology and Nephrology. 2009;41:77.
MY01214 May 18, 2010

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