HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Blood in semen

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/29/2018 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
I had a scare last night when I noticed a slight amount of blood in my semen (what little there is left). I notified my RO's nurse today and this was her reply. Anyone have comments about this? I could use all the reassurance I can get. Lots of articles mentioned SV as one of the many reasons for this and I had close call with that. My RO treated 2 CM of SV just as a precaution.

I do understand your anxiety seeing blood in the ejaculate. If you can remember at discharge we told you that you could have this happen (also on your written discharge instructions). You are seeing the blood in the ejaculate because the seminal vesicle may have experienced some scatter radiation and during the repair process the blood vessels are very fragile and they break very easy. The force of ejaculation can break those blood vessels. We do not recommend any types of treatment for this issue but encouraged that you stay fully hydrated. It should resolve on its own. There are no restrictions to the frequency of sexual activities. The blood flow to that area promotes healing. We do recommend that you use a condom for now because of the presence of the blood.

Unless there is a large amount of blood in the ejaculate and it becomes very frequent then my recommendation at this point is to take a deep breath, drink lots of water.
Posted 5/29/2018 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
My comment: nicely worded reply by the nurse; he/she said it better (and with more tact and patience) than I probably would have.

Post Edited (NKinney) : 5/29/2018 1:11:14 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/29/2018 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Seems like she’s seen this before and is well versed, and doesn’t see. Cause for alarm. Based on that, I’d take her comments at face value, drink lots of water, and keep having sex.
Posted 5/29/2018 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
personally, I'd interpret that to mean, go have more sex.

maybe I'm miss-reading.

and yeah, that nurse explained it well.

Andrew
Posted 5/29/2018 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I don't understand the recommendation to stay hydrated. I'll be sure to drink plenty, but dont see the connection.

I just cant seem to put this disease and treatment behind me and get on with other diseases. PSA every few months, bouncing twice, and now this. I've invested way too much time and anxiety in this disease. I'm sick of it.

Post Edited (hrpufnstuf) : 5/30/2018 4:24:44 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/29/2018 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Proper hydration is essential for several stages of wound healing; or put in reverse, lack of fluids delays and prolongs wound healing. Most importantly, hydration helps deliver essential nutrients to the wound and drains away the waste products from the repair area (s)he described.

Post Edited (NKinney) : 5/29/2018 3:02:16 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/29/2018 9:02 PM (GMT 0)

NKinney said...
Proper hydration is essential for several stages of wound healing; or put in reverse, lack of fluids delays and prolongs wound healing. Most importantly, hydration helps deliver essential nutrients to the wound and drains away the waste products from the repair area (s)he described.

Got it. Thanks.
Posted 5/30/2018 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Scar tissue breaking off bleeds. I still see a drop from time to time. Nothing to worry about.
Posted 5/30/2018 10:30 AM (GMT 0)
My apologies for being so self-centered and whiny. Many of my HW brothers have a much bigger burden to carry and dont complain.

HR said:
I just cant seem to put this disease and treatment behind me and get on with other diseases. PSA every few months, bouncing twice, and now this. I've invested way too much time and anxiety in this disease. I'm sick of it.

Post Edited (hrpufnstuf) : 5/30/2018 6:34:32 AM (GMT-6)
Posted 5/30/2018 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
HR:

Don't start apologizing for minor complaining. The guys with bigger burdens have lots of venues to discuss them. It's the guys who are scared about things like blood in their semen who have no place else to talk about them, and who feel all alone.
Posted 5/30/2018 6:36 PM (GMT 0)

Tall Allen said...
Scar tissue breaking off bleeds. I still see a drop from time to time. Nothing to worry about.

Ditto, I've seen this same thing on rare occasion two plus years out from RT, and have actually correlated it with times of increased sexual activity and frequency. Nothing to see here...move along... cool
Posted 5/30/2018 6:41 PM (GMT 0)

hrpufnstuf said...
My apologies for being so self-centered and whiny. Many of my HW brothers have a much bigger burden to carry and dont complain.

What Peter said, it affects you so it's important. It's also important to others. Yes there are those worse off, but there are those better off than you.

Complain all you want, this forum is about support - for everyone.

Peace,
Andrew
Posted 5/30/2018 7:08 PM (GMT 0)

HitchHiker said...

Tall Allen said...
Scar tissue breaking off bleeds. I still see a drop from time to time. Nothing to worry about.

Ditto, I've seen this same thing on rare occasion two plus years out from RT, and have actually correlated it with times of increased sexual activity and frequency. Nothing to see here...move along... cool

I think I'll back off some. Twice a week is probably a bit much for an older couple, but we both enjoy it. I have this fear that my potency will fade quickly now that I'm 40 months post treatment so I think I've been trying to stay sexually active as long as possible and often, thinking I could lose it at any time. Like the nurse said, the blood vessels are very fragile. Maybe I'm putting too much strain on them.
Posted 5/30/2018 7:20 PM (GMT 0)

hrpufnstuf said...

I think I'll back off some. Twice a week is probably a bit much for an older couple, but we both enjoy it.


I'm going to respectfully offer some constructive disagreement. There's a ton of info out there on how GOOD sex is for you, especially as you age (the core of these bullets from Psychology Today):
    br />
  • Sex brings pleasure. Dopamine...our basic reward system. People with strong social interactions and emotional connections live longer lives.
  • Sex increases oxytocin. The “cuddle” hormone; promotes bonding, positive feelings of attachment, and trust. This is also good for pain relief; people report a decrease in headaches and arthritis pain when their oxytocin levels are high.
  • Sex increases testosterone. It is associated with increased survival in men, especially from heart attacks.
  • Sex can be exercise. As with any exercise, getting the blood flowing and the heart pumping is good for circulation. Just how much “exercise” may be controversial, but, in my opinion the more effort and vigor, the better the experience, and the better the workout.
  • Sex is fun. A 2004 national study showed sex as the #1 activity associated with self-reported happiness.
Posted 5/30/2018 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Don't back off! The best way to keep it going is to keep it going. A drop of blood now and then is not something that should keep you from sex.
Posted 5/31/2018 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
I vote the "more sex" party.
Posted 5/31/2018 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Agreed - if you've still got it flaunt it! cool You aren't damaging things doing what you're doing, in fact it probably promotes a better long term outcome for you on multiple levels staying sexually active, as NKinney's post indicates.
Posted 6/7/2018 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Sex last night with a condom as recommended by nurse showed no evidence of blood I'm happy to report.
I'm relived, but out of sight does not mean out of mind. Preoccupation with this blood thing can have an effect on performance (or lack of I should say) and can be a downer (pun intended).
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply