Question: What is hematospermia, what causes it, and how can it be treated?
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
Hematospermia is a medical term for blood detected in semen. Seminal fluid contains sperm produced in the testes which is then mixed with secretions from other glands along the path of travel from the testicles. These secretions permit the sperm to navigate the vaginal and cervical environment enhancing the process of sperm meeting the egg (fertility) in the female's fallopian tube.
While trauma and infection are common causes, blood in semen requires further investigation. While rare, any malignancy of the testes or ductal system may produce this as well as disease of the epididymis (gland that sits on top of each testicle) and prostate (both glands that produce secretions to ejaculate that provide a medium to transport sperm).
I recommend you be aggressive. See your primary care physician for a basic workup and physical examination along with a rectal and testicular examination. If no obvious cause is found, consider an ultrasound combined with selective blood (CBC, PT, PTT, bleeding time, chemistry, PSA) and urine analyses. If necessary, consult with a urologist recommended by your doctor.
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