Discolored semen: What does it mean?

I've noticed that my semen has a yellowish-green tint to it. Should I be concerned about discolored semen?

- No name given / Michigan

Mayo Clinic endocrinologist and men's health specialist Todd Nippoldt, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

Semen color and consistency can vary based on factors such as age, diet and frequency of ejaculation. However, yellowish-green semen may indicate a prostate infection. Semen is normally a whitish, cloudy fluid. It's usually quite thick just after ejaculation but liquefies about 20 to 30 minutes later.

Changes in the appearance of semen are usually temporary and not a health concern. However, sometimes these changes can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires further evaluation. If these changes persist for longer than three to four weeks, see your doctor for an evaluation.

Abnormal semen color or consistency	Possible medical cause
Yellow, green or gold	Prostate infection
Yellow-tinted	Urine in the semen
Thick, lumpy or jelly-like	Male hormone deficiency
Pink, red or dark brown	Bleeding in the prostate

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