Blood is semen is often an alarming and disturbing problem but luckily its causes are easy to treat and blood in semen in most patients is due to infection.
Blood in semen or redness in semen is medically called Hematospermia.
What are the causes of Blood in semen ?
The common causes of blood in semen include:
- Infection – Seminal Vesiculitis, Prostatitis or other forms of UTI
- Tuberculosis
- Prostate Cancer or Cancer of Accessory Sexual Glands / Metastasis
- Trauma
- Prostatic Varices
- Bleeding Disorders
- Hypertension
- Ejaculatory Duct Obstruction
What are the tests that you may need ?
Hematospermia or blood in semen is more of a clinical diagnosis. Symptoms like burning in urine or pain during ejaculation point towards an infection or inflammation. During your visit our expert will measure your blood pressure and take a thorough history. A digital rectal exam will be done in which the prostate will be checked by putting a gloved finger in the motion passage. Common tests that may be ordered include a semen culture and hemogram with ESR. The further testing will be required if the response to treatment is poor. This second line of tests may include evaluation of semen for tuberculosis by culture and other methods such as PCR and evaluation of serum PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) and urine flow rate. Rarely advanced imaging such as Transrectal ultrasound or CT scan may be needed.
What is the treatment for Hematospermia or Blood in Semen ?
Long duration antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment. Treatment for as long as 4 to 6 weeks is often employed. Supporting the antibiotics are anti-inflammatory agents and hot fomentation in the form of sitz bath.
What is the usual time that it takes for recovery ?
Often patients keep getting dark coloured blood despite medications. Need not worry as this probably is old blood and since its is collected in the seminal vesicles one may observe the dark colour of semen for as long as 6 weeks to 3 months post resolution of the infection. Discomfort in the lower abdomen or the perineum is often the first to settle followed by resolution of the color of semen to white or light grey.
Dietary restrictions for patients with Hematospermia
Although there are no specific dietary recommendations measures to relieve constipation must be sought as constipation may aggravate bleeding from the seminal vesicles. Try to include more fresh veggies and raw fruits into your daily diet to stay away from constipation.
Have more questions ? Please reach out to our experts at urocentre and get the basic evaluation done today.
