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JukkaSairanen

Haematospermia

Essentials

  • Haematospermia is usually an innocent symptom and does not require urgent further investigations.

Aetiology

Investigations

  • For investigations into possible haematuria, see Haematuria.
  • Palpation of the prostate (touch per rectum) to detect a tumour
  • Samples to detect STDs are taken according to patient history or if there are signs of urethritis
  • Travel history: long-term haematospermia may be a symptom of schistosomiasis.
  • Semen analysis can be performed if there is uncertainty whether the patient really has haematospermia or if schistosomiasis is suspected.
  • Repeated haematospermia is an indication for further investigations (plasma prostate-specific antigen, ultrasonography of the prostate, cystoscopy), particularly in men above 50 years of age.

Treatment

  • Non-specific haematospermia does not need treatment.
  • Treatment of an underlying cause, e.g. infection

    References

    • Ahmad I, Krishna NS. Hemospermia. J Urol 2007 May;177(5):1613-8. [PubMed]
    • Manoharan M, Ayyathurai R, Nieder AM, Soloway MS. Hemospermia following transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy: a prospective study. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 2007;10(3):283-7. [PubMed]
    • Schwartz E, Pick N, Shazberg G, Potasman I. Hematospermia due to schistosome infection in travelers: diagnostic and treatment challenges. Clin Infect Dis 2002 Dec 1;35(11):1420-4. [PubMed]