Hematospermia 

  • Author: Jonathan D Schiff; Chief Editor: Edward David Kim, MD, FACS   more...
 
Updated: Apr 14, 2010
 

Background

Hematospermia is defined as blood in the semen. While often perceived as a symptom of little significance, blood in the ejaculate can cause great concern to the men who experience it. The condition is common, and many episodes go unnoticed; therefore, the prevalence of hematospermia remains unknown. In most patients with hematospermia, no further diagnostic workup is needed; however, in some patients, hematospermia may be the first indicator of other urologic diseases.

Hematospermia has been written about for centuries. Hippocrates, Galen, Pare, Morgagni, and Fournier all commented on this condition. The first American report appeared in 1894, and Fletcher,[1] Leary,[2] Marshall,[3] and Ganabathi[4] have subsequently published excellent contemporary reviews on the subject. The advent of newer imaging modalities has altered both the diagnosis and the treatment of hematospermia.

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Pathophysiology

For an understanding of the causes of hematospermia, a working knowledge of the relevant anatomy of the ejaculatory complex is useful.

The seminal vesicles are androgen-dependent accessory organs that produce and store seminal fluid, which is essential to male fertility. The seminal vesicles are best studied ultrasonographically. Normal seminal vesicles are flat paired structures that lie cephalad to the prostate behind the bladder and have a bow-tie appearance on transverse imaging. They are symmetric, well-defined, saccular, elongated organs. In its normal collapsed state, the center of the gland is homogenous, with areas of increased echogenicity corresponding to the folds of secretory epithelium. In the distended state, the wall is visibly composed of 2 distinct layers. Caudally, the seminal vesicles diverge laterally.

The dimensions of the seminal vesicles vary with age, but not with the ejaculatory state. Upon transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), the dimensions are estimated to be 30 ± 5 mm in length, 15 ± 4 mm in width, and 13.7 ± 3.7 mL in mean volume. The age of the patient and degree of prostate enlargement have been shown to cause variation in the size of the seminal vesicles.

MRI findings may also help delineate the normal anatomy of the seminal vesicles. Using MRI, the signal intensity of the seminal vesicles can be compared with the tissues surrounding them (ie, skeletal muscle, fat, urine). The signal intensity on T1-weighted spin-echo images of normal seminal vesicles in men is similar to or slightly higher than that of skeletal muscles and is always greater than that of urine. On T2-weighted images, the signal intensity varies. In prepubertal boys and men older than 70 years (androgen-deprived males), the signal intensity is generally lower than that of skeletal muscle or urine. Convolutions of the seminal vesicles are best observed on T2-weighted images or on T1-weighted images with the use of intravenous contrast agents.

The vasa deferentia act as conduits, carrying sperm between the epididymis and the ejaculatory ducts via the vasal ampullae. The vasal ampullae pass medially to the seminal vesicles and are best seen using transaxial TRUS views.

The seminal vesicles and vasal ampullae join together to form the ejaculatory duct. The ejaculatory duct travels through the prostate and enters the urethra at the level of the verumontanum. The junction between the seminal vesicle and the ejaculatory duct lies within the prostate and is difficult to see in a healthy unobstructed system. Small echodensities are frequently seen at the junction of the ejaculatory ducts and the verumontanum in the urethra. These areas provide useful landmarks and are thought to represent concretions within the periurethral glands surrounding the verumontanum.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

The true prevalence of hematospermia is unknown because most ejaculations occur intravaginally and hematospermia often remains unrecognized.

Recent data collected after TRUS-guided biopsy of the prostate suggest that up to 36.3% of men undergoing 6-15 cores develop postprocedure hematospermia. Increasing the number of cores did not significantly increase the frequency of hematospermia.[5]

Sex

Hematospermia affects only males.

Age

Hematospermia can occur in males of any age. In younger men (< 40 y), hematospermia is uniformly benign. Even in older men, it is rarely associated with malignancy.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jonathan D Schiff  MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology, Department of Urology, Mount Sinai Medical Center; Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor of Urology, Weill-Cornell School of Medicine

Jonathan D Schiff is a member of the following medical societies: American Urological Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

from Memorial Sloan-Kettering – John P Mulhall, MD  Director, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

from Memorial Sloan-Kettering – John P Mulhall, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Society of Andrology, American Urological Association, Society for Basic Urologic Research, and Society of University Urologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Edmund S Sabanegh Jr, MD  Chairman, Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Edmund S Sabanegh Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Society of Andrology, American Urological Association, Society for the Study of Male Reproduction, Society of Reproductive Surgeons, and Southwest Oncology Group

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

J Stuart Wolf Jr, MD, FACS  The David A Bloom Professor of Urology, Director, Division of Endourology and Stone Disease, Department of Urology, University of Michigan Medical School

J Stuart Wolf Jr, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Urological Association, Catholic Medical Association, Endourological Society, Society for Urology and Engineering, Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, Society of University Urologists, and Society of Urologic Oncology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Edward David Kim, MD, FACS  Professor of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, University of Tennessee Medical Center

Edward David Kim, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Society of Andrology, American Urological Association, Sexual Medicine Society of North America, and Tennessee Medical Association

Disclosure: Lilly Consulting fee Advisor; Astellas Consulting fee Speaking and teaching; Watson Consulting fee Speaking and teaching; Allergan Consulting fee Speaking and teaching

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