Blood in sperm usually causes anxiety. No wonder - hematospermia can be a symptom of a serious illness. However, in most cases, the blood in the sperm is harmless and often resolves spontaneously. Find out what causes blood in semen, how is it diagnosed and how to treat hematospermia.
Sperm blood( hematospermia ) is usually the result of some kind of inflammation, irritation, or trauma. In approx. 60 percent. In cases, it is impossible to establish the cause of hematospermia, and after some time, e.g. after a few weeks, it passes by itself. If it affects young men under 40, it is usually not a symptom of a serious medical condition. Of course, hematospermia should never be underestimated, and as soon as you notice that your semen has larger or smaller pieces of blood - sometimes these are just barely visible spots, and sometimes the semen just looks like blood - see your doctor. It does not have to be a urologist right away, it is enough to have a general practitioner who, if necessary, will guide you further.
Causes of hematospermia
There are a number of conditions that can be manifested by the appearance of blood in the sperm, as the semen ejaculates a long way from the seminal tubules to the urethra. During it, blood is collected from a certain place. Among the causes of hematospermia, we can distinguish:
- sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes)
- benign prostatic hyperplasia
- tumors, e.g. testicular cancer, epididymal cancer, prostate cancer (rare)
- seminal vesicle tumors
- various diseases of the prostate, such as dilated veins, cysts
- inflammatory changes, infections of the testicles, epididymis, urethra, seminal vesicles (caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi)
- prostate biopsy
- genitourinary tuberculosis
- genital warts
- malignant hypertension
- trauma
- developmental disorders, such as cysts, dilatation of veins in the prostate section
- liver dysfunction
Blood in semen: diagnostic tests
Due to so many possible triggers of haematospermia, a doctor must first conduct a detailedinterview and order the patient to perform appropriate tests. These should, of course, include physical examination of the penis and testes, as well as rectal examination (through the anus) of the prostate, general examination of urine, semen culture, imaging examination: transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If, for example, a prostate test worries your doctor, your PSA levels will also need to be checked. This is a screening test (blood test) for finding asymptomatic prostate cancer. Hematospermia may also be accompanied by other symptoms that you should tell your doctor about, as they can lead him to the right track sooner:
- pain during ejaculation
- pain while urinating
- blood in urine (hematuria)
- tenderness of the testicles, scrotum, groin
- pain in the loins
- fever
- redness of intimate areas
Older men (over 40 years of age) are more likely to develop serious diseases, such as prostate cancer, so under no circumstances should they delay visiting a doctor if they notice blood in their body. sperm.
Treatment of hematospermia
If the cause of blood in the sperm is found, treatment can begin. It will be different in each case. If the blood appeared on the swollen area as a result of an injury, it is recommended to apply cold compresses and rest so that the body can regenerate. In the event of a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics that you can take at home. If the cause of hematospermia is some sort of obstruction in the genitourinary tract, surgery will be required. If, on the other hand, the blood in the semen causes cancer or even suspicions of it, we will receive a referral to an oncologist who will direct further treatment.
Worth knowingRemember not to panic as soon as you notice blood in your sperm, as in the vast majority of cases it is not anything serious. However, this symptom should not be taken lightly. You need to see a doctor. Even if the diagnosis is cancer, the sooner it is detected and treated, the faster your recovery will be.