Apart from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men. For this reason, you may be alert to any signs of the disease. If you see blood in your semen, you’re understandably concerned.
A one-time incident of blood in your semen is usually not a major medical concern. Here’s the likely causes, explains W. Cooper Buschemeyer III, MD, of Buschemeyer Urology and what to watch for when it comes to prostate cancer.
Most men don’t examine their semen after ejaculation, so blood in the semen may occur more frequently than you think. It most commonly occurs in men ages 30-40.
The causes are possibly a leak from a small blood vessel that bursts during ejactulation — think of it like getting a bloody nose after blowing your nose.
If you recently had a vasectomy or prostate biopsy, a small amount of blood may also appear in your sement. It’s nothing to worry about.
Any injury to a structure in the male reproductive system, like the testes or prostate gland, as well as a minor infection may also be to blame.
None of these causes are serious, though, so you should not panic. If you need to put your mind at ease, it’s never a bad idea to make an appointment at Buschemeyer Urology to ensure you aren’t suffering a rare, serious condition.
Blood in the semen can be a sign of prostate cancer, but it’s very unlikely that the cancer will show up this way. More likely your symptoms will start with your urination. You may notice difficulty starting urination or a weak or interrupted flow or urination. Frequent urination, especially at night, or difficulty emptying the bladder completely are also signs of problems with your prostate.
If you have pain or burning during urination, painful ejaculation, or pain in the hips, back, or pelvis that just won’t go away, you should also ask about getting screened for prostate cancer.
These symptoms are also associated with other problems as well as prostate cancer, so you should seek further medical support to determine their root cause.
Many times, prostate cancer causes no symptoms and is only detected during a screening for another issue.
Dr. Buschemeyer and the team here will take a full medical history and discuss your symptoms. They’ll ask when you first noticed the blood in your semen, how often it’s present, and about your sexual habits.
You’ll also undergo a physical exam to look for any obvious lumps, swelling, or other irregularities in your genitals. The doctor will also perform a rectal exam to feel your prostate and look for tenderness or a lump.
You may need additional screenings like a urine test, sexually transmitted disease screening, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) test to look for prostate cancer.
We can put your mind at ease and get you any follow-up care you need to resolve any underlying medical conditions that are causing blood in your urine. Come see us at our Conroe, Willis, and The Woodlands, Texas, offices. Call Buschemeyer Urology to set up a consultation, or use the website to arrange your appointment.
