Finding blood in your semen can be concerning. It’s not something to ignore, but it doesn’t usually signal a serious health problem. For instance, a single episode of blood in your semen is not usually a sign of cancer. However, it may be caused by a condition that requires treatment.
Blood in semen can occur at any age, but is most common in men ages 30 to 40.
Common causes include:
- Blood leaking from a small blood vessel that bursts during ejaculation.
- Trauma from a recent vasectomy.
- Trauma from a recent prostate biopsy.
- An infection in the urinary tract or prostate. If you have an infection, you may also have other symptoms such as painful urination.
- Sexually transmitted infection.
- Inflammation in the prostate. This is called prostatitis. This can cause blood in the semen and urine, painful urination, painful sex or a feeling of fullness or swelling in the rectum or genital area.
If you see blood in your semen, speak with your doctor. You’ll be asked about when you first noticed the blood and how often you’ve seen it in your semen. You’ll have a physical exam to check the prostate and genitals. Your doctor may order tests such as a urine test to check for infections.
In many cases, a man with blood in his semen won’t need treatment, especially if he is under 40 and does not have risk factors for serious health issues. If the blood is caused by an infection or inflammation, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
If you are over 40 or have certain risk factors such as a history of cancer or bleeding disorders, your doctor may order more tests to rule out a more serious cause of the blood.
Dr. Amarnath Rambhatla, a urologist at Henry Ford Hospital, focuses on male infertility, low testosterone, sexual dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, vasectomy and vasectomy reversal.