Sex Problems: When There's Blood In The Semen

Sex Problems: When There's Blood in the Semen

The shade of color typically found in healthy semen can vary from white to grey to a light yellow, but when the color turns pink, brown or red, a guy needs to take notice. Such coloration tends to indicate there is blood in the semen, and for the sake of avoiding future sex problems, he needs to pay some attention to what is going on.

How it gets there?

As the Mayo clinic explains it, semen is made up of both sperm and fluids that are added to the sperm as it travels along its path toward ultimate release via ejaculation. This pathway is made up of tiny tubes which are typically surrounded by blood vessels of varying sizes. In addition, there are blood vessels in or around the bladder, urethra, prostate and testicles, which are areas with which sperm and/or seminal fluids may come in contact. If any of these blood vessels rupture, they may leak blood, which may then flow into the semen at various points along the path.

Hematospermia

The technical name for blood in the semen is hematospermia. It can show up in a man of any age, but it most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 40 and again after age 50. The good news is that, while the presence of blood may be alarming to a man, in most cases it is benign and very often resolves itself without any need for treatment.

Causes

So the blood usually occurs because of vessels rupturing - but what makes that happen? It turns out there are many things that can cause blood in the semen.

The most common cause is due to a rupture during a prostate gland biopsy - and that is why the condition is common among men over 50, who are in the age group where such biopsies become more common. The same can happen when a man has surgery for a prostate issue - again, a more common occurrence after age 50.

In some cases, hematospermia may indicate the possibility of prostate cancer; however, this is a fairly rare outcome. Nonetheless, because of this possibility - and because it could also indicate some other condition that may require attention - it's always good to let a doctor know when one has experienced hematospermia.

In other cases, an infection - often sexually-transmitted - may be to blame. Some infections that may create a bloody situation include gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, cytomegalovirus, and trichomoniasis.

Inflammation can also be a factor. If the urethra, prostate or epididymis is inflamed, ruptures may occur. The same can happen if there are obstructions of some sort along the ejaculation duct.

And sometimes the vessels rupture simply because a guy was having too good a time. Engaging in sexual activity for too extended a time, or in a manner that is too aggressive, may bring about small vessel damage.

Often the blood will go away on its own; however, if the semen remains bloody for an extended period of time, or if there are other symptoms associated with it (such as pain, especially while urinating), it's best to see a physician.

When aggressive or extended sex causes blood in the semen, it may also bring about soreness in the penis. Regular use of a superior penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can be beneficial in alleviating that pain. The penis skin needs to rejuvenate, so finding a crème that contains a combination of Shea butter (a high-end emollient) and vitamin E (a natural hydrator) is an excellent way to go. In addition, penis skin will be more resilient if it is treated with a crème containing alpha lipoic acid. This potent antioxidant fights free radicals that can cause considerable stress and damage, thereby weakening the skin and its defenses.