Yellow sperm is usually not problematic and may be caused by age, abstinence from sex, or urine in the semen. Of course, infections such as prostatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, and urinary tract infection can also cause yellow sperm. If other symptoms accompany yellow semen, you must see a doctor. Stay with us to know what is the sign of yellow sperm and know about the treatment method and when to see a doctor.
What is yellow sperm?
In the male reproductive system, glands are responsible for producing semen. This thick, jelly-like liquid protects the sperms that fertilize the egg. Sperm or seminal fluid is usually white, milky, or light gray. Of course, sometimes, this liquid may take on different colors. Usually, this color change is not alarming, but the yellowing of semen can be a sign of some diseases.
In most cases, yellowish sperm is not a sign of disease and is caused by consuming foods or vitamins. But if the semen is dark yellow or very light, it can cause concern.
What is the color of healthy sperm?
Semen is a complex substance composed of mucus, plasma, and water. It also contains 5 to 25 calories and essential minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, and zinc. The color of healthy sperm is white or grayish-white. Healthy semen has a thicker texture due to the large number of sperm. Some men with ordinary-colored but watery sperm may have a low sperm count. This issue may cause fertility problems. Of course, clear and thin semen can be a temporary problem.
Sperm can have different colors. Although most men have grayish-white sperm, this fluid can also be green, red, or yellow. Green sperm is unhealthy and can indicate an infection of the prostate or surrounding tissues. Red sperm can also be a sign of disease. This color is caused by blood in the semen and may resolve on its own. Of course, you should see a doctor when you see it because it can be caused by a sexually transmitted infection, recent vasectomy, prostate enlargement, urinary tract infection, or other diseases.
What is the cause of yellow sperm?
If the semen turns yellow, it means that its composition has changed. Various factors can cause this change. Some causes are harmless and can be resolved without intervention, but some require specialist examination. In the following, we examine some of these factors.
1. old age
With age, the possibility of sperm color change increases. Some older men may have yellowish sperm. In this case, sperm yellowness has no treatment and remains the same. It is interesting to know that, according to research, vitamin C deficiency is common in older people. Taking 1000 mg of vitamin C every other day can improve the concentration and movement of sperm.
2. Avoid ejaculation
If a long time has passed since the last ejaculation, there may be changes in the concentration and color of the sperm. Most men will have yellow sperm after a period of abstinence. The reason is that old sperm can turn yellow. With normal ejaculation, the color of the sperm will return to its normal state.
3. Inconsistency in ejaculation
Yellow sperm can be a sign of the combination of urine and semen. Some urine may also be left in the urethra and mixed with semen. The combination of semen and urine also occurs due to bladder neck disorders.
4. diet
Some spices and foods containing sulfur or food coloring can cause sperm yellowing. If you notice yellow sperm, paying attention to your diet and reducing the consumption of asparagus, garlic, onion, and turmeric is good. After these foods are removed from the body, the color of the sperm should return to grayish-white. Eating more vegetables and fruits helps sperm health, especially beans and green leafy vegetables.
5. lifestyle
Consumption of tobacco and alcohol can temporarily cause sperm yellowing. Smoking has many harmful effects on semen. For example, it can change the number of leukocytes and the shape and movement of sperm. A healthy lifestyle can solve these problems.
6. Some supplements and medications
Vitamin B supplements can cause yellowing of semen and urine. Multivitamins may also turn sperm yellow. Some prescription drugs, such as metronidazole or rifampicin, also give sperm an orange or yellow appearance. If you take other prescription or over-the-counter medications and your sperm is yellow, consult a specialist.
7. Inflammation of the prostate or prostatitis
Chronic inflammation of the prostate has a severe effect on sperm. This condition can disturb the semen, cause painful ejaculation and give a strong smell and yellow color to the sperm.
8. jaundice
Jaundice occurs when excess bilirubin accumulates in the body. The destruction of red blood cells causes this yellow-brown pigment. The average amount of bilirubin in the blood is less than 1 mg/dL. If this amount reaches 3 mg/dL, it causes jaundice. In people with jaundice, the sperm also turns yellow. Some diseases that cause jaundice include:
- Gallstones ;
- inflammation of the pancreas ;
- Obstruction of the bile duct;
- infection;
- tumor;
- genetic diseases;
- hepatitis _
9. Leukospermia
This disease increases the amount of white blood cells in the body, which may cause the semen to turn yellow. Some factors that cause leukocytopenia are:
- inflammation;
- autoimmune diseases ;
- systemic infections;
- Bacterial infections.
10. Sexually transmitted diseases
Various sexually transmitted infections can cause sperm yellowing, including:
- Chlamydia: Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. Not everyone develops symptoms, but it can cause pain and discharge in those who do.
- Genital herpes: Herpes or genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. There is no cure for this infection. This virus will remain silent in the sick person and be activated occasionally. Most infected people have no symptoms, but if they do, they may experience pain, itching, sores, small red bumps, or white blisters.
- Gonorrhea: Like chlamydia, gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria. Its symptoms are also similar and cause pain and secretions.
- Hepatitis: Hepatitis A, B, and C can be transmitted through sexual intercourse, but these diseases are not limited to sexual intercourse. The hepatitis virus attacks the liver; poisoning can lead to jaundice and yellow sperm.
11. Liver problems
Changes in liver function can cause yellow sperm. Medicines and diseases such as hepatitis or inflammation of the liver affect sperm color. For sperm color to return to normal, liver function must return to its previous state.
12. Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection can lead to sperm yellowing. Semen must pass through the urethra to exit the body. The same duct also removes urine from the body. When some urine is left in the urethra, the color of the sperm will turn yellow. Since urinary tract infection causes frequent urination, men with this infection are more likely to experience yellow sperm.
Treatment of yellow sperm
If you notice a change in your sperm, you should contact your doctor. Yellow or brown sperm may not be alarming, but it can indicate a more severe condition that needs treatment. The treatment of this complication depends on its cause and can include the following:
- Taking antibiotics to treat infections and some sexually transmitted diseases;
- I am taking antiviral drugs for viral infections.
Prevention of sperm yellowing
- reducing consumption of foods rich in sulfur;
- Quit Smoking;
- increasing the consumption of liquids and foods rich in water, such as cucumber, peach, celery, and watermelon;
- Avoiding eating foods containing yellow and orange food coloring;
- Use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
When should you see a doctor?
If sperm yellowness is caused by harmless problems such as avoiding sex, taking vitamins, or dieting, you can treat it at home. You should see a doctor for prostatitis, sexually transmitted disease, jaundice, or urinary tract infection. If these symptoms accompany the yellow sperm, go to the vet immediately:
- lower back pain;
- stomach ache;
- smelly sperm or urine ;
- severe bruising;
- painful ejaculation;
- painful urination;
- Ague;
- yellow eyes or skin (jaundice);
- Symptoms of infection.
Common questions
1. Is yellow sperm healthy?
Healthy sperm has a grayish-white color. Yellow sperm is rarely a sign of severe disease and is usually caused by old age, abstinence from sex, or urine in the sperm. Of course, if this complication is caused by a condition such as a urinary tract infection or a sexually transmitted infection, you should see a doctor.
2. What is the healthiest sperm color?
Ideally, the color of the sperm should be grayish-white. The texture and color of this fluid may vary depending on factors such as general health, lifestyle, and genetics. If your sperm turns yellow only occasionally, it can be harmless and temporary.
3. Why is sperm yellow and jelly-like?
Usually, sperm is dense and thick. The reason is the proteins that increase the adhesion and fertility of sperms. So having jelly sperm is normal. Its yellowing may also have different causes, such as diseases and infections or consumption of food and drugs.
4. Does AIDS change the color of sperm?
The color of semen has nothing to do with AIDS. If you think you have been exposed to HIV, see a specialist.
5. What is the cause of thin semen?
A lack of zinc in the diet can cause sperm dilution. Zinc plays a vital role in average sperm production, so you should pay attention to its intake and provide all the minerals and vitamins your body needs.
final word
Many factors and complications can change the color of sperm from grayish-white to yellow. Depending on its cause, this complication can be permanent or temporary. Although this complication is usually not a worrying problem, sometimes it can be a sign of some disease. If you are unsure about the cause of sperm color change, it is better to see a doctor, especially if other symptoms accompany it. The method of treating yellow sperm also depends on its cause.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
