Also known as hemospermia, hematospermia is a condition in which blood is ejaculated along with semen. While the occurrence of blood in the semen can be alarming, the origin of the problem is normally minor in nature and can be corrected easily. In some cases, the appearance of blood in the semen is short-term and clears up without any treatment at all.
There are several reasons why hematospermia may occur. One of the more common origins of the condition is due to an infection of the prostate. When this is the case, medication can quickly cure the infection and eliminate the appearance of blood.
Surgical procedures involving the prostate may also lead to hematospermia. This is especially true after a biopsy on the prostate. As the trauma to the prostate passes, the incidence of blood mixed into the ejaculate will disappear.
Hematospermia causes also include inflammation of the urethra. As with a prostate infection, medication will usually heal the problem in a short period of time. In the event there is some sort of blockage in the urethra or seminal vesicles, a physician can normally identify the problem with examination and take action to clear the blockage.
Other than blood present in the semen, there are no real hematospermia symptoms that are likely to appear. Unlike other situations, there is usually no pain involved or any type of soreness in the penis or testicles. If the condition is due to a prostate infection, there may be some low-grade pain, although few men experience any discomfort at all.
Along with medication, hematospermia treatment may include such strategies as prostatic massage. Depending on the origins of the problem, a physician may recommend no treatment at all. For example, if the appearance of blood in the semen is shortly after a prostate biopsy, the doctor may run tests to make sure no infection is present. If not infection is found, the physician is likely to advise the patient that the blood will dissipate over time, usually after four or five additional ejaculations have occurred.
While hematospermia is rarely a sign of any type of serious health issue, it is important for men to see a doctor after noticing blood in the semen. By running a urinalysis, examining the prostate for possible infection or trauma, and checking the urethra for blockage, the issue can be quickly resolved before there is the chance for additional complications to take place. Even if no treatment is required, the reassurance obtained from the doctor that there is nothing seriously wrong will provide a great deal of emotional relief to the patient.