Semen can be an indication of your health status

Semen is the cloudy white body fluid that is emitted from the urethra of the penis during ejaculation. Most of the fluid in semen is made up of secretions from male reproductive organs.

• 65 per cent of the fluid is produced by the seminal vesicles
• 30 to 35 per cent by the prostate
• 5 per cent from the testicles and epididymes

Semen contains citric acid, free amino acids, fructose, enzymes, phosphorylcholine, prostaglandin, potassium, and zinc. The average volume of semen produced in a single ejaculation varies from 2 to 5 ml. The semen from a single ejaculation may contain between 40 million and 600 million sperm, depending on the volume of the ejaculate and the length of time since the last ejaculation. Samples used for medical purposes are obtained by having the donor masturbate. If a sample cannot be produced without sexual intercourse, non-reactive condoms can be used to collect the semen.

Normal Semen

The Look: Semen is usually a cloudy white or grey fluid. Following ejaculation, semen may thicken to a jelly-like consistency. Within 30 minutes, it typically becomes runny and clear. The thickening and liquefaction are thought to be important to reproduction.

The Smell: A chlorine smell in semen is normal.

The Taste: Slightly sweet due to a high content of fructose. The taste of semen tends to change slightly from person to person and may be affected by diet.

What is Considered Abnormal Semen?

• Low Volume of Ejaculate

A decrease in the volume of semen emitted during ejaculation may result from a blockage in a seminal vesicle or ejaculatory duct.
A low volume of seminal fluid may also indicate retrograde ejaculation, a condition in which semen flows into the bladder rather than out of the penis during ejaculation. Retrograde ejaculation may result from a prostatic infection, prior prostate surgery, diabetes, and certain medications.

• Thick or Lumpy Semen

Semen may be unusually thick due to dehydration, which is a temporary condition. A more serious cause of thick or clumpy semen is abnormally low testosterone levels. You should see your doctor if the consistency of your semen is abnormal for more than two or three weeks.

• Red or Brown Semen

If your semen has a red or brown appearance, it is probably from a burst blood vessel in the prostate. This can happen with normal ejaculation, and within a day or two, the semen should return to its normal color. If the discoloration continues for longer than a few days, you should see your doctor. Persistent blood in the semen may result from infection, trauma, and rarely, cancer.

• Yellow or Green Semen

Normal semen may have an off-white or slightly yellow tint. Semen with a pronounced yellow or green color may indicate an infection, possibly due to a sexually transmitted disease called gonorrhea. Go to your local STD clinic. If your semen is discolored due to a gonorrhea infection, treatment with antibiotics is necessary.
Foul-Smelling Semen

Foul smelling semen is nearly always a sign of infection. Go and see your doctor.