Taking On Erectile Dysfunction

Nobody likes to see blood coming out where it isn’t expected. For men, seeing blood in their semen can be particularly alarming. Does it mean an infection? Cancer? Infertility?

One man shares his own concerns in the WebMD Erectile Dysfunction Community. He writes that he noticed blood in his semen for about six weeks. Although he’s had no pain, he worries that it may mean he is sterile and cannot get his wife pregnant.

More than a dozen men share stories of having noticed blood in their semen, sometimes for a short period of time, or off and on for weeks, even years.

There is a lot of disagreement in the ED Community as to just how serious this is. One man repeatedly insists that blood in the semen is always a “literal big red flag” that should never be ignored. Another community member compares it to a nosebleed -- aggravating and messy, but not usually anything to take seriously.

One man reports that the blood he found in his ejaculate turned out to be related to a case of prostatitis -- a common infection of the prostate gland -- which was cleared up with a course of antibiotics. Other men speculate that blood in their semen may be related to particularly intense sexual activity or masturbation.

Urologist Sheldon Marks, MD, weighs in to agree with the man who says it’s usually nothing to be alarmed about. Unlike blood in the urine, which is always a cause for an immediate call to the doctor, blood in the semen is usually only a problem if it is heavy or persistent. Known as hematospermia, it’s just “something that happens,” says Marks.

If you think the blood is related to any kind of exertion, you should back off that activity, Marks says. If you’re worried, he adds -- particularly if you’re over 40 and the bleeding is persistent or heavy -- it’s a good idea to see your urologist.