- 1. Strokes in the genital region
- 2. Use of anticoagulants
- 3. Having a prostate biopsy
- 4. Inflammation of the prostate or testicles
- 5. Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- 6. Sexually transmitted diseases
- 7. Cancer
The blood in the semen does not normally mean a serious problem and therefore tends to disappear on its own after a few days, without the need for specific treatment.
The appearance of blood in the semen after 40 years of age can, in some cases, be a symptom of some more serious health problems, such as vesiculitis or prostatitis, which need to be treated, being necessary to consult a urologist to identify the cause and start proper treatment.
However, in any case, if the bloody sperm appears frequently or if it takes more than 3 days to disappear it is recommended to go to a urologist to assess the need to start some type of treatment to cure the problem or alleviate the symptoms.
The most frequent causes of blood in the semen are small bumps or inflammation in the male reproductive system, however, bleeding can also arise due to medical examinations, such as prostate biopsy, or more serious problems, such as sexually transmitted diseases or cancer, for example. example.
1. Strokes in the genital region
Injuries to the genital region, such as cuts or strokes, for example, are the most frequent cause of blood in the semen before age 40, and normally, the man does not remember having happened. Therefore, it is important to observe the intimate area to look for any cuts or other signs of trauma such as swelling, redness or hematoma.
What to do: normally, in these cases, the blood in the semen disappears after about 3 days and, therefore, no specific treatment is necessary.
2. Use of anticoagulants
The use of some medications, especially anticoagulants, such as Warfarin or Aspirin, increases the risk of bleeding from small blood vessels, such as those found in the semen pathway, which may cause blood to flow out during ejaculation, however, this bleeding type is rare.
What to do: if the bleeding lasts more than 3 days to disappear, it is recommended to consult a urologist and take all the medication you are taking to assess the need to change any medication. See what care should be taken when using anticoagulants.
3. Having a prostate biopsy
Prostate biopsy is a type of invasive test that uses a needle to take a sample from the organ, which is why bleeding in semen and urine is very frequent due to trauma caused by the needle and the rupture of some blood vessels. See more about how the prostate biopsy is done.
What to do: bleeding is normal if the test was done within 4 weeks before the appearance of blood in the semen, it is only recommended to consult the urologist if excessive bleeding or fever above 38 ºC appears.
4. Inflammation of the prostate or testicles
Inflammation that can appear in the male reproductive system, especially in the prostate or testicles, is one of the most common causes of blood in the semen and, therefore, it is important to be aware of other symptoms such as fever, pain in the intimate area or swelling of the testicles. See other symptoms in Prostatitis and Epididymitis.
What to do: if inflammation is suspected, it is advisable to consult a urologist to identify the type of inflammation and start the appropriate treatment, which can be done with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or analgesics, for example.
5. Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate, is a very common problem in men after the age of 50 and a major cause of blood in the semen in older men. Usually, this type of problem is accompanied by other symptoms such as painful urination, difficulty passing urine or a sudden urge to urinate. See the other common symptoms of this problem.
What to do: It is recommended to have prostate exams after the age of 50, which may include having a digital rectal exam and blood tests to identify if there is a problem with the prostate and start appropriate treatment.
6. Sexually transmitted diseases
Although rare, the presence of blood in the semen can be a sign of the development of sexually transmitted diseases, such as genital herpes, chlamydia or gonorrhea, especially when it occurs after having sexual intercourse without a condom, for example. See what other signs may indicate an STD.
What to do: if intimate contact has occurred without a condom or other symptoms such as discharge from the penis, pain when urinating or fever, it is advisable to consult a urologist to have blood tests for the various sexually transmitted diseases.
7. Cancer
Cancer is one of the rarest causes of blood in semen, however, this hypothesis should always be investigated, especially after the age of 40, as prostate, bladder or testicular cancer can, in some cases, cause blood to appear in the blood. semen.
What to do: you should consult a urologist if there is a suspicion of cancer or do routine examinations after 40 years of age to allow the identification of the risk of having cancer, starting the treatment indicated by the doctor, if necessary.
