Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Causes

Treatment

Complications

Diagnosis

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Frequently Asked Questions

Blood in semen can either be noticeable or only visible under a microscope. At times, it is nothing serious and passes in days or a few weeks. Sometimes, it can indicate an infection like a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a disorder like a urinary tract infection (UTI).

This article discusses the symptoms and potential causes of blood in semen. It also covers risk factors and when to get a diagnosis and treatment for your symptoms.

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Symptoms That Occur With Blood in Semen

Blood in semen may give it a pink, red, or brown appearance. Some common symptoms that can indicate an infection in the urethra, prostate, or genitals, include:

Other symptoms of infection that could cause blood in semen include:

Causes of Blood in Semen

Problems with the genitalia or prostate might cause blood in semen, including:

How to Treat Blood in Semen

If the cause of blood in semen can’t be found or if there are no other symptoms present with blood in semen, treatment can mean simply waiting for the condition to subside.

While waiting for blood in semen to heal, at-home care might include:

Treatments for conditions that can cause blood in semen include:

Complications and Risk Factors Associated With Blood in Semen

If left untreated, infections or conditions that cause blood in semen could lead to:

Risk factors associated with blood in semen might include:

Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Blood in Semen?

To diagnose the cause of blood in semen, a healthcare provider might perform:

If you see blood in your semen, it’s advised to see a healthcare provider immediately to rule out infections or issues with the prostate.

Summary

Treating blood in semen might include antibiotics for a bacterial infection, pain relievers, medications for prostate issues, or lifestyle changes like changes in diet or medications. Diagnosing the causes of blood in semen might include taking a blood test or providing a urine or semen sample, or additional imaging or diagnostic testing.

Blood in semen can sometimes have no cause. But if diagnosed, blood in semen can be a symptom of an STI or an infection in the urethra or prostate. It could also be a symptom of an enlarged prostate, which can be managed with medication or lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol or caffeine and changing medication. Sometimes, examinations or procedures, like a vasectomy, can cause blood in semen.Learn MoreSexually Transmitted Diseases

Blood in semen can sometimes have no cause. But if diagnosed, blood in semen can be a symptom of an STI or an infection in the urethra or prostate. It could also be a symptom of an enlarged prostate, which can be managed with medication or lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol or caffeine and changing medication. Sometimes, examinations or procedures, like a vasectomy, can cause blood in semen.

Learn MoreSexually Transmitted Diseases

Learn MoreWhat Is BPH, or Enlargement of the Prostate?

Blood in semen can be pink, red, or brown. If there is an infection that’s causing blood in semen, symptoms could also include pain when urinating or ejaculating and swelling or tenderness in the genitals. Prostate issues, like enlargement of the prostate, could cause low-back pain or trouble with bowel movements, along with blood in semen.Learn MoreWhat Your Semen Says About Your Health

Blood in semen can be pink, red, or brown. If there is an infection that’s causing blood in semen, symptoms could also include pain when urinating or ejaculating and swelling or tenderness in the genitals. Prostate issues, like enlargement of the prostate, could cause low-back pain or trouble with bowel movements, along with blood in semen.

Learn MoreWhat Your Semen Says About Your Health

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Urethral stricture.MedlinePlus.Blood in the semen.NHS.Blood in semen.MedlinePlus.Urethritis.Hyun JS.Clinical significance of prostatic calculi: A review.World J Mens Health. 2018;36(1):15-21. doi:10.5534/wjmh.17018National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).MedlinePlus.Prostatitis - bacterial.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection - adults.NHS.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Healthdirect.Blood in semen.

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Urethral stricture.MedlinePlus.Blood in the semen.NHS.Blood in semen.MedlinePlus.Urethritis.Hyun JS.Clinical significance of prostatic calculi: A review.World J Mens Health. 2018;36(1):15-21. doi:10.5534/wjmh.17018National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).MedlinePlus.Prostatitis - bacterial.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection - adults.NHS.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Healthdirect.Blood in semen.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

MedlinePlus.Urethral stricture.MedlinePlus.Blood in the semen.NHS.Blood in semen.MedlinePlus.Urethritis.Hyun JS.Clinical significance of prostatic calculi: A review.World J Mens Health. 2018;36(1):15-21. doi:10.5534/wjmh.17018National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).MedlinePlus.Prostatitis - bacterial.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection - adults.NHS.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).Healthdirect.Blood in semen.

MedlinePlus.Urethral stricture.

MedlinePlus.Blood in the semen.

NHS.Blood in semen.

MedlinePlus.Urethritis.

Hyun JS.Clinical significance of prostatic calculi: A review.World J Mens Health. 2018;36(1):15-21. doi:10.5534/wjmh.17018

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

MedlinePlus.Prostatitis - bacterial.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Gonorrhea.

MedlinePlus.Urinary tract infection - adults.

NHS.Urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Healthdirect.Blood in semen.

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