S P O N S O R E D B Y S PA E X C E S S
SEX
Sex & Health
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WITH DR KEITH
Help! I’ve got bloody jizz!”
O
ne of the scariest things is bleeding. It’s alarming, especially when unexpected. Now ramp up the scary factor by making it come out of the part of us we hold most dear — our penises. A friend of mine had it happen. Understandably upset, he went and saw his doctor. He was examined and reassured that this common complaint is not cause for alarm most of the time. And since it’s possible (even likely) to recur over time, which it did for my friend, he affectionately began to call it his “man-period.” Described by Hippocrates himself, hematospermia is a medical condition where blood is present in the ejaculate, or in layman’s terms, blood in your cum. Colour can range from pink to red to brown. It is mostly harmless and rarely a sign of something serious like cancer. Often, it goes unnoticed (perhaps gay men notice more because of, errr, what they do with it?) and so it’s probably even more common than anyone thinks. Urologist Dr Cory Hartsburg says this: “While it is rarely due to any real significant process (like prostate cancer, in less than 1 percent of cases) it is most disconcerting to the patient. Most commonly it may be related to prostatitis [inflammation or infection of the prostate gland], trauma, urethritis or urethral strictures, and occurs quite commonly after a prostate biopsy or a TURP.” (A TURP is surgery done to remove the prostate through the urethra.) Like a nosebleed, it happens due to small, ruptured blood vessels. Instead of occurring in your nose, it happens somewhere in your urinary tract (collectively, this includes your bladder, prostate, testicles, seminal vesicles ruptures usually happen either on
their own for no reason at all, or due to trauma (accidents or even aggressive sex) and usually heal over time without any treatment. Some people have narrowing of their urethra called strictures which can bleed if irritated. Infections causing inflammation, including sexually transmitted infections, should be treated with antibiotics. Common ordinary infections usually affect the bladder and testicles, while STIs often affect the urethra. Cancer is only a small cause of hematospermia but should not be ignored. careful testicular, prostate and genital exam. MRI, ultrasound urine and blood testing are also sometimes used but are a lot less useful than a good exam and history. Age, family history and associated symptoms make this diagnosis more or less likely. If it occurs less than 10 times or for less than two months it’s also less likely to be of concern. Men under the age of 40 very rarely have any underlying cause for concern. (Dr Hartsburg states he usually treats most men younger than 45 for presumptive inflammation or infection of the prostate with at least a month of an antibiotic since cancer
is exceedingly rare in these men. If it doesn’t clear up, then he becomes more suspicious.) So if (or when) this seemingly terrifying thing happens to you, do not panic! Chances are very, very good that there is nothing wrong lutely should consult a doctor the first time. If for no other reason than to give yourself peace of mind. Your “man-period” need not be your enemy. ■ DR KEITH LOUKES works in emergency in a Toronto hospital • Send him your sexual health question at sexhealth@intorontomag.com.
This column should not be viewed as medical advice; always consult your physician.