What should seman look like

Blood vessels in the area may also break from injury, vigorous sex, or masturbation. If these symptoms go away and there are no other issues, it should pose no further problems.

Some infections may cause blood to mix with the semen, which changes its color depending on how fresh the blood is. People should also look out for other signs of infection.

Some prostate issues may also alter the consistency or color of the semen. Prostate complications that could trigger these changes include:. Complications from high blood pressure may cause disruptions in several systems in the body. In the reproductive system, it may allow blood into the semen, which can change the color. Dark brown or black semen may be a sign of heavier bleeding or blood that has been in the body for longer periods of time.

This may occur due to a heavy injury, such as a spinal cord injury or trauma in the genitals. High levels of heavy metals in the body and blood may lead to dark semen in some cases.

A article found that the blood of people with dark-colored semen was rich in heavy metals, such as manganese, lead, and nickel. This may be due to exposure to contaminated food, water, or other environmental factors. Semen color ranging from yellow to green could be due to a urinary tract infection or sexually transmitted infection STI , such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

The semen may also have a foul odor. Semen with a yellow tint may be a sign of infrequent ejaculation. The semen may have had more time to sit and mix with other compounds that make it change color. Semen may change color if it mixes with certain vitamins or medications. If a color change is the only symptom and goes away, it should pose no further problems. Foods containing dyes may also alter semen color in some cases. The smell of ejaculate may also change if a person eats strong-smelling foods, such as garlic, onions , asparagus, or broccoli.

Semen may also mix with drops of urine from the urethra. This could give the semen a yellowish appearance. Again, this is generally not a cause for concern. Jaundice occurs when the liver leaves too much bilirubin in the body. This is a natural yellow pigment created when the body breaks down red blood cells. While it causes yellowing of the skin, jaundice may also change the color of semen. Having too many white blood cells in the semen may also change its color, making it more yellow.

This may be a secondary effect from another condition, such as a urinary infection, prostate infection, or STI. These glands produce some substances that make up semen.

One study found that high levels of heavy metals — such as lead, manganese, and nickel — in the blood may cause dark-colored semen. This may result from exposure to contaminated food, water, or other environmental factors. See a doctor if you experience pain, discomfort, or fatigue along with a drastic change in your semen texture.

These symptoms, along with thickened semen , could be a sign of severe dehydration, hormonal imbalance, or infection. Watery semen may be a sign of vitamin deficiency or infertility. What you consume on a daily basis — from certain foods to other substances — can change the…. How long can sperm live outside the body? Which sperm and pregnancy myths are true and which are false? Many factors, including environment, your…. Some people claim that taking lecithin supplements will help you produce more fluid when you ejaculate, but is there any proof that this is true?

How old do you have to be to get a vasectomy? Learn the minimum legal age, whether you can be too advanced in age, and whether you can reverse a…. A vasectomy is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy, but there are other options available. How much blood does it take to get hard? Learn about other factors that help you get hard, what can cause problems with erections, and treatment…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Mental Health.

Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Semen color chart Clear, white, or gray semen Yellow or green Pink, red, brown, or orange Black Texture See a doctor Why semen changes color Semen is typically whitish-gray in color with a jelly-like texture.

What do the different semen colors mean? What does clear, white, or gray semen mean? What does yellow or green semen mean? Many more environmental factors that can affect male fertility exist today than 50 years ago. The factors include:. The causes of stress in modern life are legion and concerns over fertility or failure to conceive are very important causes of stress.

If you are concerned that you have a fertility problem, it is sensible to seek advice from your family doctor. The chance of conception in a healthy, young couple is about 20 per cent per month, so a delay of three to six months before conceiving is not unusual. It's reasonable to request an initial assessment after six months of regular unprotected intercourse without conception. There are a few ways in which you can preserve male fertility and sperm count.

Follow these top tips:. Your employer has a legal responsibility to provide information on occupational health risks and to ensure employees have a safe and healthy working environment. Parenting Mental health Healthy eating Conditions Follow. Type keyword s to search. Getty Images. We break down everything you need to know about semen, sperm count and male fertility: What is semen? Related Story. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses.