Blood in the semen is usually caused by inflammation of the seminal vesicles. It may also be caused by:
Blockage
Infection
Injury
It may be a sign of disease or a problem in the urethra, testicles, epididymis, or prostate.
Often, the cause cannot be found.
Home Care
You can treat minor injuries by resting, applying ice, and monitoring your symptoms. For major injuries you may need surgery.
Infections can often be treated with antibiotics taken by mouth (or intravenous antibiotics if symptoms are severe).
Blockages of the urinary tract system are usually treated with surgery. If cancerous tumors are causing the blockage, you may need radiation or chemotherapy.
Call your health care provider if
Always call your doctor if you notice any blood in your semen.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
The health care provider will perform a physical examination, looking for signs of:
Discharge from the urethra
Enlarged or tender prostate
Fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Swollen or tender scrotum
To diagnose the cause of the problem, your health care provider will ask medical history questions, such as:
How much blood was in the semen?
Did you ever have microscopic blood in the past when your semen was examined for another reason?
When did you first notice this problem? Is it present all the time?
Is there anything that seems to have caused this symptom?
Review Date:
9/16/2011
Reviewed By:
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
