If there is blood coming out of your penis when you urinate, masturbate, or during intercourse, your first thought may be that something is terribly wrong. In most cases, there’s nothing to be concerned about, but that doesn’t mean you should just sweep the matter under the rug and forget out it.
Rather, it’s best to examine all the more common reasons why you are seeing blood coming out of your penis and then seek medical assistance if that seems indicated. If you are seeing blood, it is in either your urine or semen, and there are a variety of reasons why it may appear in either one.
Why is there blood in your semen?
Generally, blood in the semen often goes away on its own in men younger than 40.
For men older than 40, blood in semen is typically more serious.
That said, bloody semen can be caused by the following situations or factors.
Abstinence. Men who have not ejaculated for about three months or longer may experience some blood in their semen. This is harmless.
Complication of surgery. If you recently underwent a surgical procedure, call your surgeon to discuss whether blood in your semen could be a complication of the procedure.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Chlamydia, genital herpes, and gonorrhea all have blood semen as a possible symptom. If the blood semen is accompanied by burning or painful urination and any unusual discharge from your penis, you should see your doctor or make an appointment at a sexual health clinic as soon as possible. Untreated STDs can result in serious health problems, including infertility and spread of the infection to the joints, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness.
Testicular orchitis or epididymitis. If in addition to blood in your semen you also have painful, swollen testicles, you may have epididymitis. Fortunately, this condition is easily treated with antibiotics, so be sure to call your doctor as soon as possible.
Trauma. If you have experienced an injury to your penis from a vehicular accident or sports injury, you may see blood in your urine or semen. It is possible to have an injury and not see any bruising. You should see your doctor as soon as possible.
Urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI is often accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating and foul-smelling pee. If these symptoms are present along with blood in your semen or urine, you should have your doctor check your urinary tract.
Urological cancers. The presence of some urological cancers, including bladder, prostate, seminal vesicle, testicular/epididymal, and urethral can cause blood to appear in the semen.
Various diseases. If your prostate is affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), prostatic calculi (prostate stones), acute or chronic prostatitis, or abnormal blood vessels in your prostate, then you may see blood in your semen. Several other diseases are associated with blood in the semen and urine, including severe uncontrolled hypertension, hemophilia, lymphoma, leukemia, tuberculosis, and schistosomiasis. You should see your doctor if it’s possible you are living with one of these conditions.
Why is there blood in your urine?
As you may have noticed, several conditions may have blood in either the semen or blood as a symptom. Here are some reasons why you might see blood in your urine (hematuria).
Anticlotting drugs. If you take warfarin or other anticoagulation drugs, seeing blood in your urine may indicate the medication is not working properly.
Bladder cancer. If you see bright red blood in your urine but have not pain, bladder cancer is a possibility. Call your doctor.
False alarm. If you have been eating beets, blackberries, or rhubarb, or you have been taking a laxative that contains senna, your urine may be red or pink.
Kidney disease. If you have blood in your urine and also are experiencing severe pain in your back and side or pain that travels to your lower abdomen and pelvic area, call your doctor immediately. You may have kidney disease (e.g., kidney cysts, kidney stones, cancer, tumors).
Prostate diseases. An enlarged prostate, prostatitis, and prostate cancer all can be associated with blood in the urine. Other symptoms that are common to these three prostate diseases are urinary frequency, urinary urgency, painful urination, dribbling, and getting up often during the night to urinate.
Sex. Vigorous sexual activity can cause blood to appear in your urine. It typically disappears after a day or two, but if it persists, you should see your doctor or visit a sexual health facility.
Strenuous exercise. Men who engage in strenuous impact activities such as long-distance running or cross country may see blood in their urine. This could be the result of dehydration, prolonged impact, or both. You should see your doctor if the blood persists.
Bottom line
If there is blood coming out of your penis, it could be a temporary, benign condition or it could be something more serious. Play it safe and have it checked out by a medical professional if you have other symptoms that suggest there is a problem.
