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Blood in semen - causes and therapy
contents
- Causes of blood in the ejaculate
- Cause prostate problems
- Prostate Cancer
- Blood in the sperm after vasectomy
- Cause inflammation of seminal vesicle or epididymis
- Treatment of blood in semen
- Home remedy for bloody seminal fluid
Causes of blood in the ejaculate
Anyone who discovers bloody-reddish discoloration in the seminal fluid usually gets a great deal of fright. Because many sufferers fear a serious background, with the fear of cancer is often greatest. But a tumor disease is rare in blood in ejaculate (medical: "hemospermia"), but in more than half (50-70%) of those affected no clear cause can be identified. In the other cases, it is often relatively "harmless" reasons such as e.g. an injury to the glans or a broken capillary. In addition, the mechanical effects of an accident, bruising or physical activity or physical stress can be the trigger. Uncontrolled movements during sexual intercourse, as well as tougher sexual practices, can injure the penis, causing blood to accumulate in the ejaculate.
If blood is found in the ejaculate in addition to the sperm, the reasons can be harmless but also very serious. (Image: Steve Young / fotolia.com) Cause prostate problems
The common causes include a so-called "prostatitis" of which about 10% of the male population is affected at least once in life. This is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate (prostate gland), which is located in men below the bladder. The illness can cause different complaints, typical are in the acute case above all a strong burning urination, frequent urination, fever, chills and pain in the area of the dam. In the case of chronic or abacterial inflammation usually further symptoms are added. Testicular, abdominal and groin pain, erectile dysfunction, blood in the semen, pain during bowel movements and ejaculation are possible here.
Prostatitis can have various causes. For example, bacteria that penetrate into the gland, which is about the size of a chestnut, and cause a defense reaction of the tissue, are possible. In most cases intestinal bacteria (Escherichia coli, Enteroccocus faecalis) are the trigger, but other germs are also possible, such as Klebsiella, enterococci or pathogens of certain venereal diseases such as chlamydia or gonococci (gonorrhea)..
However, if there is chronic inflammation, the cause often can not be clearly determined (idiopathic prostatitis). In some cases bacteria can also be detected here, but more often it is an "abacterial" chronic prostatitis, which is also known as "chronic pelvic pain syndrome". This can be caused inter alia by bladder emptying disorders or constrictions in the draining prostate tracts (e.g., by prostate stones, urethral stenosis). If there are no organic causes, psychological factors such as stress, fears or problems in the partnership are often suspected.
In addition, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is considered benign enlargement of the prostate in bloody semen. This occurs in a majority of men of middle to older age as a result of excessive cell proliferation, but is neither a form of cancer nor a precursor and therefore relatively harmless in itself. However, if the volume of the prostate enlarges so much that the urethra is constricted, a so-called "benign prostate syndrome" develops, which is accompanied by various complaints. In particular, successively increasing problems in urinating such as e.g. heavy urination, frequent urination at night and pain. In addition, there are inhibitory symptoms such as a weak or delayed urinary stream, dripping and interrupted urination ("urinary stuttering"). In the further course it is often no longer possible for those affected to completely empty the bladder ("residual urine formation"), as a result of which additional urinary tract infections and sometimes also urine loss and bladder stones occur.
If the disease is not treated appropriately at the latest by this time, finally, in phase three, the ever-increasing pressure on the urethra threatens a urinary retention and, as a consequence, a very painful overstressing of the bladder. In addition, it may come through the backflow of urine to the kidneys to a decrease in kidney function or even kidney failure. Accordingly, men should consult a urologist at the first sign of a benign prostate enlargement (delayed urination, a thin stream of urine, etc.). Because this can the complaints, e.g. rectify the condition quickly with a rectal examination and ultrasound and, if necessary, immediately initiate the necessary treatment steps.
Another trigger can be a so-called "prostate tuberculosis". This is a very serious and difficult to treat disease, since the disease is rarely limited to the prostate gland. Instead, tuberculosis herds usually form in other urogenital organs as well, with epididymes and seminal vesicles being particularly frequently affected. In some cases, the disease initially remains symptomless for a long time, sometimes suffer from general symptoms such as fatigue, fatigue, loss of appetite and mild fever.
More often, however, symptoms similar to those of chronic prostatitis appear early on. These include, among other things, an increased urine and stool urgency, a feeling of pressure in the area of the perineum and burning pain after urination. In addition, pus admixtures in the urine, severe pain in the ejaculation and blood in the semen often occur, in highly advanced cases, the emptying of the semen usually remains completely. Due to the poor chances of recovery in a once developed prostate tuberculosis, prevention plays a particularly important role. Accordingly, it is advisable to remove tubercular foci in other areas (such as the epididymis) at an early stage. In addition, persons already suffering from tuberculosis and susceptible to increased susceptibility, such as HIV-infected people, alcoholics, drug addicts and immunocompromised and old people necessarily avoid a gonorrhea infection or have them treated in existence in any case.
Prostate Cancer
In addition to benign enlargement, a malignant tumor of the prostate gland may be responsible for blood after ejaculation in rarer cases. The so-called "prostate cancer" counts with more than 60,000 new cases a year to the most common cancers in men and occurs primarily from the age of 60 on. The disease is particularly treacherous, because there are hardly any typical warning signs and at the beginning usually no complaints. These become evident only in the advanced stage, which are often nonspecific symptoms that may also indicate other prostate conditions. These include, for example, problems with urination and defecation, increased urination, pain in the prostate and ejaculation, erectile dysfunction and bloodstream in both urine and in the seminal fluid may occur. If daughter tumors (metastases) have already formed in the bones, severe lower back complaints, leg or hip pain can be added.
The causes of prostate cancer are still not fully understood. However, there are some risk factors that can be beneficial from a medical point of view. These include primarily age, hormones (testosterone) and a genetic predisposition. Accordingly, according to the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), for example, in males up to 65 years of age with three affected brothers a 23 times higher risk of disease than those without affected relatives. In addition, a possible connection with nutrition, smoking, alcohol and obesity is discussed again and again. So far, however, it is not clear whether or to what extent an "unhealthy lifestyle" actually influences the development of prostate cancer.
If the cancer is detected early, the prognosis is usually good. Since no typical symptoms occur at the beginning of the illness, this can only be detected by a precautionary examination. Accordingly, physicians advise all men over 40 years again and again emphatically to take the yearly offered by the statutory health insurance early detection once a year in claim necessarily.
Blood in the sperm after vasectomy
Another possible cause of bloody ejaculate is male sterilization ("vasectomy"). In this, the spermatic ducts located in the spermatic cord are severed, which means that sperm cells are no longer in the ejaculate and fertilization of the ovum becomes impossible. Consequently, the procedure is among the safest methods of contraception, in which a fatherhood of almost 100% can be excluded. In most cases, the vasectomy is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, using syringes (conservative and "non-scalpel vasectomy") or "no-needle-no-scalpel" depending on the treatment method.
The classic or conservative vasectomy has been a standard in this country for many years and accordingly represents the most common surgical method. In this, the vas deferens are first exposed by means of a small incision, then these are severed and a piece about one to three centimeters long taken. This is followed by sclerotherapy and suturing of both ends with resorbable suture and final application of a sterile dressing. In addition, with the "non-scalpel" and the "no-needle-no-scalpel" vasectomy, there are two other surgical procedures that differ only in the type of anesthesia (needle or "jet injection"). There is no direct skin incision here, instead, the scrotum skin is dotted and stretched apart to expose the vas deferens. The next steps are similar to the conservative method, in which case the skin opening in this case grows by itself and does not need to be sutured.
In general, sterilization in men, regardless of the method of operation, is considered low in risk. However, in rare cases complications of vasectomy are usually hematomas or local infection causing redness at the affected site. In addition, some sufferers may experience fever, redness and swelling of the scrotum, urinary symptoms, adhesions and wound healing disorders, as well as long-lasting and chronic pain in the surgical area (post-vasectomy pain syndrome) and brownish or bright red colored sperm. If such symptoms occur, the patient should contact the urologist immediately for safety's sake.
Cause inflammation of seminal vesicle or epididymis
Inflammation of the seminal vesicles (spermatocystitis) is also considered when blood is visible in the sperm. This can occur on one or both sides and take both an acute and a chronic course. Spermocystitis may appear ascending as a result of a urinary tract infection, more rarely, the pathogens also spread through the blood (hematogenous infection). In most cases, these are bacteria (e.g., gonococci) that enter the seminal vesicle from the prostate or urethra via the so-called "injection channel" (ejaculatory duct). Typical symptoms of inflammation at this site include pelvic pain, problems with urination and bowel movements, pain during erection or ejaculation, and bloody seminal fluid, as well as general symptoms such as fever and chills.
Inflammation of the epididymis (Epididymis) may also be the cause of the discomfort. This usually occurs on one side and is mainly characterized by slowly increasing testicular pain and swelling, overheating and redness of the affected area. In addition, pain in urination, blood in urine and semen, as well as fever, fatigue and chills may occur. At the beginning, the symptoms usually remain limited to the epididymis. But in most cases, the inflammation spreads, so in addition to a testicular inflammation (orchitis) arises. In this case it is medically referred to as "orchiepididymitis".
In most cases, epididymitis is caused by ascending germs due to prostatitis or a urinary tract infection, e.g. a urethral or bladder infection. The pathogens can also be transmitted via unprotected sexual intercourse. Here, chlamydia is considered to be a common trigger in men of younger age, but later on bacteria, such as Escherichia coli or Klebsiella. It is also possible that the inflammation due to a severe injury to the epididymis (testicular torsion) as a result of a kick, punch or similar. or due to surgery. In addition, there is an increased risk in men wearing a permanent catheter or e.g. are affected by malformations in the area of the spermatic duct. Rarely, it is a hematogenous infection in which the pathogens enter the epididymis via the bloodstream.
If an epididymitis is not treated appropriately, the epididymal tubules may become obstructed, causing infertility in the event of bilateral inflammation. In addition, an acute disease can quickly take a chronic course inadequate healing and thus lead to recurrent complaints and complications such as an abscess or life-threatening blood poisoning. Accordingly, in case of pain and / or swelling in the area of the testicles, a doctor should always be consulted promptly.
Treatment of blood in semen
In many cases bloody ejaculate is a relatively harmless cause (broken capillaries, slight injury, etc.), so that the symptoms disappear after a few days by itself and no special treatment is required. Nevertheless, it should not be a long time to hesitate, but always as a precaution, a general practitioner or specialist (urologist) are visited to health risks and possible long-term consequences such. to avoid infertility.
The therapy takes place depending on the cause and can accordingly be quite different. Is the blood in the sperm e.g. a violation is important, especially the protection of the penis. Accordingly, until complete relief of the discomfort, any mechanical irritation, e.g. be avoided through sexual intercourse or tight clothing.
In acute bacterial prostatitis, however, antibiotics are administered, which are usually taken for at least four weeks to prevent a chronic course. At the same time, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications are frequently used. In addition, sufferers suffer from bladder emptying disorders with residual urine formation. A ventral catheter may also be required. For example, if an epididymitis is the cause, the treatment is usually also by anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs and in the case of a bacterial infection by antibiotics. Against the pain, the high storage and cooling of the testicles with cold compresses can be very beneficial. In addition, especially in fever until the symptoms subsided, bed rest should be taken very seriously.
In some cases, e.g. Benign prostate enlargement (BPH) may require surgery. Different options are available, with the so-called "transurethral prostate resection" (TUR-P) being one of the most commonly used procedures. This is a minimally invasive method that is performed without an external incision through the urethra. Even with a prostate carcinoma surgery may be indicated ("radical prostatectomy"). Alternatively, depending on the age of the patient, the type and spread of the cancer, there are a number of other therapeutic options, such as: "Active observation", radiation or hormone therapy available.
Home remedy for bloody seminal fluid
If the cause of the bloody sperm could be medically clarified, home remedies are sometimes available to relieve the symptoms. It should be kept in mind, however, that these usually do not replace conventional medical treatment, but at best can provide natural and effective support. In order not to take risks, it is therefore advisable not to apply the procedures on your own initiative, but to seek advice from a naturopathic doctor or alternative practitioner in advance.
Home remedies have been proven many times, especially in prostate problems. For example, in the case of a benign prostate enlargement, various medicinal plants (phytotherapeutics), such as saw palmetto fruits, pumpkin seeds, rye pollen or the bark of the African plum tree (Prunus africana). Extracts from the roots of stinging nettle are also well-suited to relieve urination problems as a result of benign enlargement of the prostate in old age.
Pumpkin seeds are an old home remedy for prostate discomfort. Picture: womue - fotolia Homeopathy recommends, among other things, Sabal serrulatum (dwarf palm) when incipient enlargement of the prostate gland, whereby the remedy (D3 to D6) can be used especially well with frequent nocturnal urination, weakened urinary stream and pain during urination. Also suitable for enlargement and inflammation of the prostate gland Pulsatilla pratensis (meadow kisses), especially if there is an increased urinary frequency with reduced urine and a depressing feeling in the area of the dam. In addition, e.g. Acidum picrinicum at nocturnal urination or Clematis recta with an attenuated urinary stream.
In order to prevent blood in the sperm, it is recommended to abstain from excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking and to generally respect a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and a lot of exercise. In addition, existing diseases and health problems such as Circulatory disorders or problems with urination and bowel movements always to be taken seriously and to be regularly monitored by a doctor. In this context, all men over the age of 40 years should follow the advice of medical experts and attend screening examinations once a year. (No)