Hematospermia

Hematospermia is commonly known as blood in the semen. It can be caused by a number of issues, including tumors, infections, and inflammation. Most often, hematospermia is a temporary, benign condition. But there may be underlying causes that need to be treated, so it’s a good idea to visit a doctor if blood is present in your semen.

Signs and Symptoms

Depending on the cause of hematospermia, any of the following symptoms may be present along with blood in the semen:

• Painful urination
• Pain with ejaculation
• Blood in urine
• Lower back pain
• Fever
• Tenderness and swelling in the groin area, testicles, and/or scrotum

Possible Causes

The most common causes of hematospermia are prostate biopsy and vasectomy. These procedures are likely to cause blood in the semen for one to four weeks afterward.

Other causes that may play a role in hematospermia are:

• Benign or malignant tumors of the prostate, bladder, testes, or seminal vesicles
• Infections, including sexually transmitted diseases
• Inflammation of the prostate, epididymis, or urethra
• Calculi or stones in the seminal vesicles or prostate
• Polyps in the urethra
• Ejaculation duct obstructions
• Cancer that has spread to the reproductive system
• Cysts, hemorrhage, or other abnormalities in the seminal vesicles

Treatment

In most cases, hematospermia doesn’t require treatment and is temporary. However, you should always consult with your physician if blood is present in your semen. If a cause is found for it, treatment will depend upon the underlying condition. For instance, infection or inflammation will be treated with antibiotics.

If you have blood in your semen, don’t hesitate to see a doctor. The Urology specialists at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston can identify the underlying cause of your hematospermia and provide treatment, if necessary.