A common concern for many men who pay attention to good penis health is whether the semen they are producing is “okay.” By this, they typically are thinking of a discovery that the color or consistency of their ejaculate has varied in some way from what is typical for them. In most such cases, the variation is caused by benign factors; however, it’s a good idea to know when a variation might indicate the possibility of a health issue that should be addressed.
Typical semen
The production of semen is a collaborative effort involving several body parts. The seminal vesicles create the majority of the fluid, typically around 60 – 65% of the total volume. The prostate kicks in another 30 – 35%, and the testicles and epididymis add in the final 5% or so.
When ejaculated, semen is initially somewhat thick but becomes thinner after a half hour or so. In most cases, its color is a cloudy white or white with a grey-ish or yellowy tinge; the whiteness is due to the high amount of proteins found in semen. It tends to have a distinctive odor which many describe as slightly like chlorine. Semen tends to be high in fructose and therefore tastes slightly sweet.
Most times, the amount of semen ejaculated is between 2 ml and 5 ml. (5 ml is just about one teaspoon). The number of sperm in a typical ejaculation varies from about 40 million to upwards of 600 million.
Changes in color
As stated above, semen tends to be basically white, with some variation in hue to greyish or yellow. At other times, there can be a greater variation in color, and these variations may indicate a possible health-related issue.
– Yellow semen. Although semen often has a slight yellow tinge to it, when the yellow is pronounced, it may indicate a number of things. It is possible that there is some urine mixed in with the semen. It may also mean that the semen contains a larger than usual number of expired sperm; this most often occurs if a man is ejaculating for the first time in a long time. A urinary tract infection may also cause semen to yellow, as can some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea. A urinary tract or sexually transmitted infection should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
– Green semen. Semen that has a green color very often indicates an infection, often an STI such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. It may also indicate a possible prostate issue. Consulting a doctor promptly is a good idea.
– Red, brown or pink semen. The presence of blood may cause semen to take on a red, brown or pink tint. Often this may be due to a burst blood vessel and resolves itself quickly; if, however, there is a large amount of blood or if it continues beyond two or three days, a doctor should be consulted; it could indicate an infection or a more serious trauma.
Changes in volume/consistency
– Low volume. Often, a low volume of semen is due to nothing more than frequent ejaculations; however, if volume decreases without a change in the amount of ejaculations, it may indicate a blockage or possibly retrograde ejaculation (in which the semen is discharged into the bladder). A doctor examination can provide the necessary answers.
– Consistency. Usually a thinning of the semen is due to a man’s diet or to frequent ejaculations. It can also be due to a low sperm count. An overly thick or lumpy semen may be a sign of dehydration or of low testosterone. If a man is well hydrated and still has lumpy semen after two or three weeks, he may consult a doctor to see if testosterone levels should be adjusted.
Keeping an eye on semen can help predict penis health issues; using a superior penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can help maintain the overall fitness of one’s equipment. Those creams with a first rate antioxidant like alpha lipoic acid can offset harmful oxidative processes that prematurely age penis cells. Also important in a cream: the presence of vitamin D to help fight disease and enable optimum cell functionality.
