Causes: what can blood in semen mean?
Many men probably get a real shock when the sperm suddenly changes color and is light reddish to brownish. The good news first: Most of the time, blood in the semen (med. haematospermia) is harmless. We explain in detail what blood in the semen is all about.
Blood in the semen can appear without warning and without known causes. Most of the time, the bleeding goes away as quickly as it started. Sperm in the blood is common after a vasectomy. Bleeding can occur one to two weeks after the procedure, during which the man is sterilized. Other explanations for blood in semen are
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia, i.e. an enlargement of the prostate gland
- Narrowing of the vas deferens or urethra
- infections such as prostatitis, urethritis or inflammation of the epididymis are less common, and cancer of the prostate, seminal vesicle or urethra is just as unlikely
Blood in the semen: dangerous or nothing to worry about?
If you notice any of the following symptoms or conditions, you should seek medical advice and see a urologist or oncologist.
- If the bleeding lasts longer than a month
- If you repeatedly detect blood in the semen
- you feel a lump in your scrotum
- you have pain in the scrotum or groin
- you have pain when urinating
If the blood in the semen is bright red or has bright reddish streaks, it is fresh arterial blood. In all probability it is a burst vein on the glans or in the urethra. If, on the other hand, it is a bit darker or even brownish, the blood has been in the semen for a long time and probably comes from the epididymis or the prostate.
Blood in the semen: This is what the treatment looks like
Treatment depends on the cause. In order to make the correct diagnosis, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and your diet and lifestyle habits. In addition, blood pressure is measured and the ejaculate and urine are examined. In men over 40, additional laboratory tests are recommended to rule out tumors.
For example, if there is mechanical damage, those affected should protect their genitals and refrain from sexual intercourse for a few days. In the case of infection-related inflammation, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. If, for example, there are constrictions in the urethra or vas deferens, these can be removed with an operation. The same applies to malignant diseases, which are usually also treated with chemotherapy.
Blood in the ejaculate: do home remedies help?
Depending on the cause, you can also relieve your symptoms naturally and use one or the other home remedy.
- Drinking plenty of fluids helps with urinary tract infections. Drink at least two to three liters to flush the pathogens out of the body. Nettle and birch leaf tea are diuretic and anti-inflammatory.
- A hot water bottle is antispasmodic and relaxing.