Educational information only, not a diagnosis. Know when to get help.
Quick answers to the questions people ask most. Each links back to the fuller page and its sources. Sources for these answers: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, NHS, NICE CKS, PubMed Central review, ICD-10-CM.
Want detail? Read causes, when to see a doctor and tests.
Questions and answers
Is blood in semen serious?
Usually not. Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and the NHS all say it is usually not caused by anything serious and often clears on its own. It is still worth getting checked, especially if you are 40 or older, it keeps happening, or you have other symptoms.
Is blood in semen a sign of cancer?
Rarely. Cancer is an uncommon cause, and Cleveland Clinic notes it is rare for blood in semen to be the first sign of a cancer. Doctors check men over 40 and those with recurring bleeding more thoroughly, partly to rule out prostate cancer.
How long does blood in semen last?
Often a few days to a few weeks. After a prostate biopsy it can last up to about four weeks. Mayo Clinic advises calling a healthcare professional if it lasts longer than 3 to 4 weeks or keeps coming back.
Can masturbation or frequent sex cause blood in semen?
Vigorous or prolonged sexual activity is listed among possible triggers, typically by bursting a small blood vessel. It usually settles on its own. If it keeps happening, get checked.
Can an STI cause blood in semen?
Yes. Infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea are recognised causes, and infection is the most common identifiable cause in men under 40. Testing is simple and treatment is usually antibiotics.
Why is my semen brown?
Brown or rust-coloured semen is usually older blood clearing out of the reproductive tract, for example in the days after a procedure or an episode of bright red blood.
Should I stop having sex?
Not necessarily. Using condoms until an infection has been ruled out protects your partner. Follow any specific advice from your doctor, especially after a procedure.
Can it affect my partner or fertility?
Blood in semen itself isn't harmful to a partner, but an underlying STI can be passed on. NICE notes most causes do not affect fertility, except STIs such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
What kind of doctor treats hematospermia?
Start with a GP or primary care clinician; most cases can be managed there. A urologist is the specialist for persistent, recurrent or unexplained cases, especially from age 40. A sexual health clinic is a good choice if an STI is possible.
Is it normal to have blood in semen after a vasectomy?
Yes, it is a common side effect while the area heals and can last more than a week. Contact your surgeon if it persists beyond 3 to 4 weeks, worsens, or comes with fever, swelling or severe pain.
Blood in semen but not in urine: what does that mean?
It usually means the bleeding is coming from the prostate, seminal vesicles or nearby structures rather than the bladder or kidneys. If you also have blood in your urine, your doctor will investigate the urinary tract as well.
What is the ICD-10 code for hematospermia?
In ICD-10-CM, hematospermia is coded R36.1.
Sources
- Blood in semen: causes Mayo Clinic
- Blood in Semen (Hematospermia) Cleveland Clinic Health Library, reviewed Jan 2024
- Blood in semen NHS, reviewed Sep 2025
- Haematospermia: management NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries
- Laboratory and clinical management of leukocytospermia and hematospermia: a review PubMed Central (PMC7290265)
- ICD-10-CM R36.1 Hematospermia ICD10Data.com (FY2026/2027 code set; verify against CMS/CDC files)
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