Health. Blood in the semen: worrying or not?

Seeing blood in the semen is cause for alarm. But most often, this situation is not serious. The majority of cases of hemospermia are said to be “idiopathic”.

Clearly, the cause is not known and it disappears spontaneously in a few days. As the Mayo clinic in the United States explains, “Semen consists of sperm and fluids released by the prostate and various glands. It passes through a series of channels to the urethra for ejaculation. A number of things can rupture the blood vessels along this pathway. The broken vessels then leak blood into the semen. »

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An inflammatory origin?

But hemospermia can also have a clearly identified origin. The most common causes of blood in semen include vesiculitis, which is inflammation of the seminal vesicles that are involved in producing the fluid of the same name.

Or even prostatitis which is an inflammation of the prostate, where sperm is produced. A recent urological procedure (such as a prostate biopsy) may also be responsible. Just like a sexually transmitted infection (genital herpes, chlamydia, etc.).

On its site, the Mayo clinic has listed some less common causes, such as severe high blood pressure, a blood clotting disorder…

In addition, a severe and recurrent presence of blood can in rare cases be a warning sign of cancer. But the risk is low. In follow-up studies, for mostly men over the age of 40, who had blood in their semen, prostate cancer developed in 4-6% of participants.

Anyway, if you are concerned, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor. If only to reassure you.

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