Medical professionals often recommend regular blood tests and physical exams to monitor health. However, there’s another, less common way for men to monitor their health — by paying attention to their semen. Semen, an often overlooked barometer, can give important insights about a man’s overall health as well as reproductive health. So let’s dive into understanding what your semen might be trying to tell you about your health.
Composition Of Semen
Before diving into what changes can be indicative of, it’s crucial first to understand the standard composition of semen. Regular semen is a compound of sperm from the testes and seminal fluid produced by the prostate gland. It’s usually white or greyish-white in color, with a kind of jelly-like consistency that becomes more fluid within 15-30 minutes after ejaculation.
Indications From Semen
- Volume
The first thing to notice is the volume of semen. Normal semen volume varies widely but typically ranges from 1.5 ml to 6 ml (around a third of a teaspoon to a little over a teaspoon). A decline in semen volume could be an indicator of a health issue, says Dr Zamip Patel. Several factors like age, frequency of sexual activity, hydration levels, and overall health can affect it. Significantly low semen volume could signal a potential issue with the seminal vesicles or prostate gland.
- Color
Healthy semen is usually whitish-gray, according to Dr Zamip Patel. If it is yellowish, it might be due to urine traces or age-related changes. However, if it is persistently yellow, it could indicate jaundice or an infection. Semen tinged with red or having a brownish shade can indicate the presence of blood, a condition known as hematospermia. According to Dr Zamip Patel, while it’s usually benign, it’s advisable to seek medical advice.
- Consistency
Semen starts as a coagulum that usually liquifies within a half-hour. If your semen doesn’t liquefy or appears chunky, it could lead to fertility issues.
- Smell
Semen naturally has a chlorine-like smell due to the alkaline substances present within. An unusually strong, foul smell may indicate an infection and should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Semen And Fertility
One of the most significant health aspects that semen can indicate is male fertility. Sperm count and the quality of sperm present in the semen play a massive role in fertility. The World Health Organization suggests that a sperm concentration of no less than 15 million per milliliter, or 39 million per sample, is considered within normal limits. Anomalies from this can suggest fertility issues.
Semen As A Health Indicator
While it may feel daunting to inspect your semen, it is an essential aspect of men’s health that is often overlooked. Noticing changes and seeking medical advice is essential to maintaining reproductive health and potentially understanding the onset of other health issues. Understanding its normal anatomy will help you recognize changes that might warrant seeking medical help.
While analyzing your bodily output, remember that some changes are perfectly normal and can be attributed to factors like diet, temperature, frequency of sexual activity, and lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking. Sudden or drastic changes, however, should prompt a trip to the doctor. Your semen, surprisingly, may just be the secret insight into your health that you’ve been overlooking.
