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What Causes Blood In Semen?
Question: what causes a brownish discoloration to semen? It looks like it may be blood
Brief Answer:
Hematospermia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
A brownish color to the semen often does indicate that there is blood (hematospermia). It isn't always from something serious, but should be evaluated. The blood usually means that there is inflammation or infection somewhere along the genitourinary tract such as in the prostate, seminal vesicles, or urethra.
Sometimes this happens after a procedure. It is also more likely if a person is on blood thinners.
Here are some other causes that are possible:
vigorous sex or masturbation
STD
Other infections of the genitourinary tract.
Enlarged prostate (such as can occur with age - benign prostatic hypertrophy)
Hypertension
Sometimes liver disease can affect bleeding factors
Less commonly, tumors and polyps, but these do occur, and so you should go in to be checked.
When you go in, the doctor will get a urinalysis to start with. This can show the presence of blood. If appropriate, he or she may screen you for sexually transmitted disease. Also should draw a PSA (prostate specific antigen test). Depending on the findings on exam and urinalysis and PSA, the doctor may either treat (such as with antibiotics), send you for an ultrasound, or refer you to a urologist.
When you go in to be seen, such as at an urgent care clinic, I recommend that you specify that you want to be seen by a doctor and not a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Hematospermia.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
A brownish color to the semen often does indicate that there is blood (hematospermia). It isn't always from something serious, but should be evaluated. The blood usually means that there is inflammation or infection somewhere along the genitourinary tract such as in the prostate, seminal vesicles, or urethra.
Sometimes this happens after a procedure. It is also more likely if a person is on blood thinners.
Here are some other causes that are possible:
vigorous sex or masturbation
STD
Other infections of the genitourinary tract.
Enlarged prostate (such as can occur with age - benign prostatic hypertrophy)
Hypertension
Sometimes liver disease can affect bleeding factors
Less commonly, tumors and polyps, but these do occur, and so you should go in to be checked.
When you go in, the doctor will get a urinalysis to start with. This can show the presence of blood. If appropriate, he or she may screen you for sexually transmitted disease. Also should draw a PSA (prostate specific antigen test). Depending on the findings on exam and urinalysis and PSA, the doctor may either treat (such as with antibiotics), send you for an ultrasound, or refer you to a urologist.
When you go in to be seen, such as at an urgent care clinic, I recommend that you specify that you want to be seen by a doctor and not a physician's assistant or nurse practitioner.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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