Hematospermia(Blood In Semen): Causes, Symptom & Treatment

Noticing blood in semen could cause a man to be anxious. However, it’s not likely to indicate a severe medical issue. If you’re a man below 40, with no symptoms related to it or risk factor for the underlying medical conditions, the blood in semen or hematospermia can disappear by itself.

However, for those who are 40 or over, there is a greater chance that semen blood needs assessment and treatment. This is particularly relevant for those who:

• experiencing repeated episodes of blood in semen
• encountering similar symptoms when urinating or having an ejaculation
• Are at risk of developing cancer, bleeding disorders, or any other condition

This condition that is blood appearing in the semen is known as hematospermia. When people ejaculate, they rarely look at their semen for blood, and it’s difficult to determine how prevalent the condition is.

Hematospermia Causes

The appearance of blood in semen causes are as follows:

Inflammation and infection

This is the primary reason for hematospermia. Inflammation or an infection can cause it within any glands or ducts that produce and transport semen out of the body and including:

• Prostate
• Urethra
• Seminal Vesicles
• Vas deferens and epididymis

The STI (sexually transmissible infection) could also cause Chlamydia, gonorrhea, prostatitis or a different virus or bacteria-related disease.

Any Medical Procedure Or Trauma

Semen-related blood is common following medical procedures. For instance, some men might see blood in their semen after a prostate biopsy. So, hematospermia after prostate biopsy is possible.

Further, treatments for urinary issues can cause minor trauma, which can cause intermittent bleeding, and it usually goes away within a few weeks following the procedure. Radiotherapy, vasectomy, and injections to treat hemorrhoids can also trigger blood. Physical trauma to the sexual organs following pelvic fractures, injuries to the testicles,  Testicular cancer, vigorous sexual activity or masturbation, or another injury could cause hematospermia.

Obstruction

One or more of the ducts or tubes in the reproductive tract may be experiencing a blockage. Consequently, the blood vessels could rupture and release a tiny amount of blood. The condition known as BPH causes the prostate to enlarge and pinches the urethra can also be one of the hematospermia causes.

Blood vessel problems

The fragile structures involving ejaculation, including the prostate to the tiny tubes carrying sperm, have blood vessels. So, these vessels can experience damage and blood is seen in semen.

Other medical conditions of hematospermia

• Extreme, uncontrolled high blood pressure, liver diseases, human immune deficiency virus (HIV), Leukemia (blood cancer).
• Seminal vesicles, bladder testes, or prostate malignant or benign tumors.

Hematospermia Symptoms

When identifying the underlying hematospermia causes, doctors will inquire about hematospermia symptoms such as:

• Burning urination or other signs of a urination that is painful.
• Blood while passing urine
• Trouble emptying your bladder completely
• A painful bladder, which is a little dilated
• Painful ejaculation
• Tenderness in the testes or the scrotum
• Swelling in the testes and/or the scrotum
• Tenderness or swelling in the groin region
• Penis discharge and other indications of an Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• A racing pulse, fever, and higher blood pressure than normal

When To Visit Your Doctor?

Generally, it is wise to consult your physician for hematospermia or blood in semen if you’ve got any family or personal background of cancers or STIs. Moreover, age is also a deciding factor.

In case you are above 40

Over 40-year-olds have a greater chance of developing prostate cancer-related illnesses. Due to this, you must inform your doctor every time you notice bloody semen. Your doctor will then investigate the reason for the blood as fast as possible.

In case you are below 40

If you’re younger than 40 and don’t show any signs apart from bloody semen, be patient and wait to verify if hematospermia goes on its own. When your semen remains, or you begin to experience additional symptoms like a fever or pain, visit your physician. They could do a prostate exam or an analysis of your urine and semen to determine the cause of the blood.

Diagnosing Hematospermia

The moment you visit your doctor complaining about the blood in semen, they will find out the reason behind this condition. Some of the diagnostic procedure involves:

• Physical Examinations: The doctor can look for additional signs like enlarged testicles, redness, or other signs suggesting inflammation or infection.
• STI tests: Through blood tests, for example, the doctor will look to ensure that you don’t have STIs that may be the blood in semen causes.
• Urinalysis. This will help identify any bacterial infection or other irregularities present in urine.
• PSA testing: The testing checks for prostate-created antigens and assesses the condition of the prostate.
• Screening tests include a CT scan, ultrasound, and MRIs to detect any possible obstructions.
• Transrectal ultrasound: This ultrasound uses a transducer pen to detect tumors and other prostate-related abnormalities.

Men above 40 may need to see urologists for subsequent evaluation of their condition. If the symptoms persist in men below 40 years, they may also need to consult the urologists.

Hematospermia Treatment

The hematospermia treatment involves targeting the known cause of the condition. Some possible treatments can include:

• Prescribing antibiotics for treating any instance of infections
• Anti-inflammatory medications for treating any inflammatory cause
• In case of blood tests confirm the presence of STDs, the doctor will start treating them.
• So, if hematospermia causes due to a urology procedure that has recently taken place, for example, prostate biopsy typically disappears in just a few weeks.

In younger men, if the blood in semen occurs only once or twice, without other symptoms or any history of medical issues, it will disappear without treatment.

If the doctor assumes prostate cancer or a different type of cancer, it might require a prostate biopsy to examine the prostate for signs of cancer. The prostate cancer chances is lower for younger men.

Treating Hematospermia At Home

If you believe that the cause of blood in semen would be due to any trauma, consider taking rest and allowing your body to heal on its own. If you observe any swelling in the groin, consider applying ice on the region for 10-20 minutes at one time, but not more than the recommended time.

The majority of cases of hematospermia will resolve by themselves. Keep monitoring your symptoms and check with your doctor if they become worse or persist for more than a month.

Bottom Line

While it’s alarming experiencing hematospermia or blood in semen, however, it’s important to keep in mind that most of the time, it’s not an indication of a serious illness.

Further, if you are still experiencing semen that is bloody, ask your physician to refer you to a urologist. So, this specialist doctor can assist you in dealing with any serious causes of blood accompanying your semen.

Additionally, you can also consult the specialists at Ohman. Our specialists can address your concerns through private video consultation. So, in case you are experiencing any sexual disorder or are concerned about your general sexual health, our specialists can help you. Further, you can order a range of medications relating to premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, etc., and get delivered to your doorstep.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is blood in semen a common condition in men?

Semen with blood (haematospermia) does not appear typical, but it is common and may appear red or brownish within the semen. For those who are less than 40, who have no symptoms related to it or risk factors for the underlying medical issues, semen blood typically disappears on its own. However, for those 40 or over, the likelihood is higher that semen blood requires examination and treatment.

2. Will blood in sperm go away?

In majority of cases, treatment isn’t necessary. Further, it usually disappears completely within a few weeks or days. However, if the cause is discovered, it might need to be addressed.

3. How common is blood in sperm?

Blood in sperm is uncommon and rarely a sign of a serious issue, particularly among men younger than 40.

4. Why is my sperm red?

Most of the time, it’s unclear what triggers the semen to be red, which may disappear by itself. However, it’s essential to have it examined to ensure nothing to worry about. The most frequent causes of semen with blood are UTI, STI, etc.