Photo: Ben Mack

What does seminal fluid feel like?

Healthy semen is usually a cloudy-white or grey fluid with a jelly-like consistency.

netdoctor.co.uk - What your semen says about your health - NetDoctor

What is the most effective natural remedy for high blood pressure?

Walk and exercise regularly Exercise is one of the best things you can do to lower high blood pressure. Regular exercise helps make your heart...

Last updated Jan 6, 2018

When should you not eat an onion?

Spoiled onions may develop dark spots, which will eventually begin to grow mold. You'll also want to avoid onions that have started sprouting, as...

Last updated Sep 19, 2020

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

The eyes may be the window into the soul but it turns out that you can tell a lot about what's going on in the body from semen. While it might be the last thing on your mind after you've just ejaculated, the consistency, look and smell of your semen can be a good indicator of your overall health. If your semen looks cloudy-white or grey with a jelly-like consistency, you're winning. While differing semen colour and consistency is usually nothing to worry about, there are a few signs it's worth keeping a look out for, in case you have an underlying sexually transmitted infection or you're concerned about fertility. We speak to consultant urological surgeon John Davies about optimum semen health, and any red flags you should look out for:

What is semen?

We all know that semen is the male reproductive fluid, but only 10 per cent of your semen is made up of sperm. The rest consists of enzymes, vitamin C, calcium, protein, sodium, zinc and fructose sugar, all of which can go a long way towards telling you what's going on inside your body.

What does healthy semen look like?

Healthy semen is usually a cloudy-white or grey fluid with a jelly-like consistency. 'It is a complex liquid usually white or grey in colour, sometimes yellowish and has a bleach like smell due to its content of alkaline substances,' says Davies. 'These are important to enable sperm to combat the acidic nature of the female genital tract. Approximately 200 to 500 million sperm are released each ejaculation but this can also vary,' he adds. The average volume of semen produced in a single ejaculation varies from 2 to 5ml, which is roughly a teaspoonful of liquid.

What does blood in semen mean?

If your semen has a red or brown appearance, it is more than likely due to a burst blood vessel and is usually nothing to worry about. Within a day or two, semen should return to its normal colour. If your semen has a red or brown appearance, it is usually nothing to worry about. 'Blood in the semen (otherwise known as haematospermia) is an alarming symptom for any man,' says Davies. 'However, it is rare for there to be a serious underlying condition. Common causes include leak of blood from fragile blood vessels within the semen storage areas, which are called the vesicles.' If the discolouration continues for longer than a few days, this may be a result of infection, trauma or (rarely) cancer, and you should visit your GP.

Can erectile dysfunction just go away?

In many cases, yes, erectile dysfunction can be reversed. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found a remission rate of 29 percent...

Last updated Jun 1, 2019

How many people has the average guy slept with?

An curved arrow pointing right. Nectar Sleep surveyed Americans to discover how many sexual partners they had before settling down. The average...

Last updated Jun 8, 2022

Promotion

When to worry about semen

A pronounced yellow or green colour may indicate a sexually transmitted infection (STI). 'The occurrence of a seminal infection can result in yellow-green semen that looks and smells offensive,' says Davies. 'Such infection should always be investigated by specialists to determine or exclude any underlying causes, and a long course of antibiotics is usually prescribed' Other symptoms of STIs in men include sores or blisters on the penis, pain or burning during urination, penile discharge, itching and swelling. However, some STIs don't present any symptoms at all, so it's important you use a condom and get yourself checked regularly even if your semen appears to be normal.

What if you have no semen?

A dry orgasm – when a man reaches a sexual climax but does not ejaculate – can be extremely unnerving. In most young men it isn't a problem, and is usually just a result of repeated orgasm, whereby the genitals simply 'run out' of seminal fluid, and therefore no liquid is produced. Dry orgasms can be a side effect of taking some anti-depressant medications. However, in older men who have undergone prostate surgery, radiotherapy or other treatments in the prostatic area, this could be a sign of retrograde ejaculation. 'As men age, seminal fluid volume and the power of ejaculation can fall as the prostate gland slowly enlarges, causing a change in passing urine due to obstruction,' says Davies. As men age, seminal fluid volume and the power of ejaculation can fall as the prostate gland enlarges. 'Men can be prescribed drugs to alleviate urinary obstruction however they can reduce the power of ejaculation and in some circumstances alter ejaculation so that semen is not expressed through the penis but back into the bladder. This is known as retrograde ejaculation.' It may sound drastic, but it's pretty much just down to a realignment of male plumbing and shouldn't cause any damage. The only change you'll notice (other than the lack of ejaculation, obviously) is that your urine will appear cloudy, and climaxes may not feel as intense. When it comes to semen, you are your best judge. If you have a gut feeling that things aren't quite right, chances are they probably aren't. If you have any concerns whatsoever, you should go and see your GP.

Sperm quality and fertility

What reverses cortisol?

Deep breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and lower cortisol levels. Meditation, yoga, tai...

Last updated Jul 14, 2019

What activities increase testosterone naturally?

Lifting heavy weights with a high volume will increase testosterone the most. Exercises include compound movements like squats, deadlifts, bench...

Last updated Aug 7, 2022

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

The 'you are what you eat/drink/smoke' idiom rings true when it comes to semen. A 2014 study, published on Fertility and Sterility, revealed that men whose overall health scored lowest were more likely to have lower levels of semen and sperm quality. 'Men continue to make semen into old age and can remain fertile provided sperm production by the testicles continues. However, excess alcohol and smoking can damage sperm production, causing men to become less fertile,' says Davies. 'Obesity can also cause problems as obese men produce more oestrogen from fat, inhibiting sperm production. Steroid usage as part of excessive exercise plans can also reduce sperm activity.'

How to improve sperm quality

Hoping to get your partner pregnant? It's not just the woman's diet that is important when you're trying to conceive. Maintaining a balanced and healthy diet (antioxidants are particularly good for fertility) will keep your sperm in good shape, while habitual alcohol consumption and smoking can damage the quality of your swimmers. However, the good news is these effects are reversible, so start cutting down now to improve your chances of conception. Maintaining a balanced and healthy diet will keep your sperm in good shape. Additionally, research shows that obesity can lower the quality and quantity of a man's sperm by up to a quarter, so it's worth losing some weight before trying for a baby. Even if you aren't significantly overweight, a healthy amount of exercise is still a good idea as it can actively boost your fertility by increasing sperm concentration. A 2013 study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, found that men who spent more than an hour and a half each week engaging in physical activity outdoors had a 42 per cent higher sperm concentration than those who spent no time outdoors.

Last updated: 29.06.2020

netdoctor.co.uk - What your semen says about your health - NetDoctor

Why does prostate increase?

The cause of prostate enlargement is unknown, but it's believed to be linked to hormonal changes as a man gets older. The balance of hormones in...

Last updated Nov 18, 2020

How can I improve my ED naturally?

9 natural remedies for treating erectile dysfunction Diet. Eating a balanced diet may help maintain sexual function and decrease your risk of ED....

Last updated Jul 18, 2018

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

What are the 3 types of issues?

We can think of problems as being one of three types: Simple, Complex and Wicked, as shown in this diagram. Simple problems are ones that have a...

Last updated Nov 15, 2018

Promotion

What is the healthiest afternoon snack?

Here are 29 healthy, weight-loss-friendly snacks to add to your diet. Mixed nuts. ... Red bell pepper with guacamole. ... Greek yogurt and mixed...

Last updated Oct 27, 2020