Why might my husband have blood in his semen?

It is not unusual for a man to notice blood in the semen (the ejaculate). Doctors call this hematospermia. Although there are several causes, quite often no specific reason is found.

The most common time men notice bloody semen is after a prostate biopsy or a vasectomy. The problem may last for three to four weeks after the procedure.

Your husband should tell his doctor if the problem happens more than three weeks or if he has any of these other symptoms:

• Pain when he ejaculates
• Pain when he urinates
• Fever
• Pain, tenderness or swelling in the genital area
• Low back pain

These symptoms would suggest that he has an infection or, rarely, an abnormal growth or tumor.