Blood in semen




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Blood in semen

By Mayo Clinic staff
Original Article:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-in-semen/MY01214
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Definition

Blood in semen is a frightening sign, but it rarely indicates a serious disease, particularly in men under 40.

Many men experience single or occasional episodes of blood in their semen, and the problem can appear at any age. Sometimes, blood is persistently visible in the semen over the course of a few months or longer.

The amount of blood in semen varies, depending on the cause. You may notice no more than a drop or streak of blood in semen, or much of the ejaculate could look bloody.

Although this sign is usually short-lived, several tests are available to pinpoint the likely cause of blood in semen and give guidance for treatment if needed.

Causes

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:

When to see a doctor

If you're over 40, see your doctor after noticing blood in semen, even if you have no other symptoms. Whether a man under 40 needs to see a doctor depends on other symptoms and risk factors.

After seeing blood in semen, wait and watch for symptoms before calling your doctor if you're under age 40 and:

  • You have no other symptoms
  • You've had a recent prostate exam or vasectomy to explain short-term bleeding
  • There isn't a lot of blood in the semen, and you see it infrequently before it goes away

Make an appointment with your doctor if:

  • You're over 40
  • You have other symptoms, such as genital or urinary pain, pain during ejaculation, fever, difficulty urinating, or blood in your urine
  • You have other risk factors, such as a history of cancer, bleeding disorders, trauma, or genital or urinary system malformation, or you've recently engaged in behaviors that put you at risk of sexually transmitted diseases
Causes
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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