What does the color of semen say?

Posted by Master, Doctor Le Phuc Lien - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Nha Trang International Hospital

Semen is a milky body fluid that is secreted from the urethra during ejaculation. Semen consists of motile sperm and nutrient-rich fluid. The purpose of semen is to help transport sperm and stimulate fertilization.

Sperm are produced in the testes, stored in the epididymis, and make up less than 10% of seminal fluid. During ejaculation, sperm is transported in the vas deferens from the epididymis to the urethra and then out of the body or into the vagina.
When sperm move in the vas deferens, mucus secreted from 3 different glands in the body combines with sperm to form semen. Those glands are called accessory reproductive glands and include the bulbar glands of the urethra (Cowper's glands), the prostate, and the seminal vesicles.
Cowper's Glands: Consists of about 5% of the composition of semen and is known as pre-ejaculatory fluid. This amount of fluid helps to lubricate the urethra, neutralize acids, allowing sperm to move easily. and magnesium. The prostate gland also secretes enzymes that break down semen about 15-30 minutes after ejaculation. This process allows the sperm to be released slowly. Sperm can then enter the cervix and travel to a woman's reproductive organs to fertilize an egg. Seminal vesicles: Constituting about 65-75% of semen, containing components such as fructose and prostaglandins. Fructose helps nourish and provide energy for sperm. Prostaglandins help stimulate vaginal muscle contractions to push sperm through the vaginal canal and through the cervix. Semen-condensing factors are also present in semen, which causes semen to have a gel-like consistency immediately after ejaculation. The purpose of this process is to help keep the sperm in place until they are released slowly during lysis.

Semen is usually milky white, has a chlorine smell and has a slightly sweet taste due to its fructose content. However, the taste will vary from person to person. If the semen has a fishy, ​​foul smell, you may have an infection, you need to see a doctor as soon as it is detected.
Normal semen volume varies from person to person but averages around 3.4ml. Two factors that can affect semen volume are dehydration and the timing of previous ejaculation.

3.1 Red or brown color
It is a sign of blood aka blood ejaculate . Although in most cases it is benign, it should not be subjective. The most common cause is after a prostate biopsy, other causes are bacterial infections of the male reproductive organs. More rarely, prostate cancer.
Blood ejaculation usually resolves on its own. However, it is still necessary to see a doctor to check the testicles, prostate, urinalysis, PSA/blood to rule out malignancy.
3.2 Yellow or green
Some causes of yellow semen include:
Mixing with urine: Because urine and semen move in the same organ, the urethra, so sometimes there is a little bit of confusion yellow pigment of urine. Jaundice: Jaundice caused by the liver, due to increased bilirubin in the blood, due to hemolysis also makes the semen yellow There are many white blood cells in the semen: Inflammation produces a lot of white blood cells in the semen, which gives the color gold in semen. This condition is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Sexually transmitted diseases: When infected with sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes also make semen yellow. Sometimes it also makes semen smell bad, unpleasant. Diet: Certain foods can stain semen yellow or change the smell of semen such as garlic, asparagus, broccoli The treatment for yellow semen depends on the cause. If it's caused by an infection, you need to see a doctor for antibiotic or antiviral treatment. In addition to food-related causes, you need to reduce chemical colorants in your diet, drinking plenty of water can also help.

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