Causes of Blood in Semen
Blood in semen (ejaculate) is also called hematospermia. Blood in semen can be caused by many conditions affecting the tubes that distribute semen from the testicles (seminal vesicles) or the prostate gland.
Blood in semen facts
- Blood in the semen is known as hematospermia.
- Prostate biopsy is the most common cause of blood in the semen.
- Blood in the semen can be caused by tumors, infections, anatomical abnormalities, stones, or inflammation in many sites throughout the genitourinary system.
- Usually blood in the semen is benign and resolves on its own.
- Treatment, if indicated, depends upon the underlying cause.
- In most cases, hematospermia has no underlying cause, is benign, self-limited, and no treatment is required.
What is blood in the semen?
The presence of blood in the semen (ejaculate) is also called hematospermia. Hematospermia is not always noticed; therefore, it is difficult to make estimates of its incidence.
What are the causes of blood in the semen?
Blood in semen can be caused by many conditions affecting the male genitourinary system. Areas affected may include the bladder, urethra, the testicles, the tubes that distribute semen from the testicles (known as the seminal vesicles), the epididymis (a segment of the spermatic ducts that serves to store, mature, and transport sperm), and the prostate gland.
Blood in the semen is most commonly a result of a prostate gland biopsy. A majority of men who undergo a prostate biopsy may have some blood in their semen that persists for three to four weeks. Likewise, vasectomy can lead to bloody semen for about one week after the procedure.
In men with hematospermia who have not had a recent prostate biopsy or vasectomy, a number of benign and malignant conditions of the male genital system may be the cause. In many situations, no definitive cause is found.
The following conditions have been reported in association with hematospermia:
- Benign or malignant tumors of the prostate, bladder, testes, or seminal vesicles
- Infections including, but not limited to, chlamydia, herpes, cytomegalovirus, and trichomoniasis
- Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), epididymis (epididymitis), or urethra (urethritis)
- Calculi (stones similar to kidney stones) in the seminal vesicles or prostate
- Polyps in the urethra
- Ejaculation duct obstructions
- Metastatic cancers (that have spread from other sites in the body) located in the genitourinary system
- Cysts, hemorrhage, or other abnormalities in the seminal vesicles
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 8/7/2017