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Blood in semen after biopsy

User
Posted 04 Jul 2023 at 07:24
Not that I am aware. My results came back negative which was great. I haven’t been doing anything strenuous at all so it is a mystery to me.
User
Posted 04 Jul 2023 at 07:25
Not that I am aware. My results came back negative which was great. I haven’t been doing anything strenuous at all so it is a mystery to me.
User
Posted 04 Jul 2023 at 08:15

Good to hear about the results.

It might be worth checking your blood pressure.

If it keeps happening, you should probably contact the hospital.

User
Posted 11 Jul 2023 at 02:59
Thanks everyone on this thread for all the information. The bumf the hospital gives you is dreadfully lacking in that regard.

Been through the procedures after a PSA test of 5.7. Urine test, MRI scan, then 12 days ago a Trans-Perineal Biopsy. Get my results in a week.

I'd googled for info on the expected colour of semen at this stage after the procedure and thankfully found this thread.

For reference I started masturbating after approximately 3 days once discomfort in that area had abated. My first came out like tomato sauce (ketchup) as other people had noted. It is currently still a very dark reddy brown that I don't think I've seen on any Dulux colour chart, though I expect Farrow and Ball probably do it :)

User
Posted 11 Jul 2023 at 07:15

To me this is either incompetence or neglect. Surely the professionals ought to be aware that at time when a man is feeling vulnerable and anxious the last thing they need is a shock like seeing their semen coloured red, green or brown. They also need to make men aware of catheter care after a prostectomy, I certainly wasn't.

User
Posted 11 Jul 2023 at 07:38

On support lines, I've had 2 calls from men who didn't ejaculate for months, by which time their semen was black. Not had a call for green semen yet though.

Also very common to be sent home with a catheter and a package with a weeks supply of parts (but not told what that is), and no instructions whatsoever, either what to do with the bits supplied, or where to get any more.

User
Posted 11 Jul 2023 at 08:26

Probably changed now but nine years ago our hospital arranged an appointment with the continence nurse. She went through catheter care and hygiene, she also organised 120 tena2 pads to be delivered before surgery. 

Catheter info on discharge is not always good.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 11 Jul 2023 at 10:35

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
... I don't think I've seen on any Dulux colour chart, though I expect Farrow and Ball probably do it :)
 

It's going to take a long time to redecorate the living room though.

Dave

User
Posted 30 Jul 2023 at 23:49

Thanks all for the useful information.
I too was floored by how bad the semen looked after the biopsy.
Yeah I'd read the warnings that there will be "some" blood in semen for quite a few weeks afterwards. But it doesn't in anyway quite prepare you for the reality.
Blood in my urine took about a week to sort itself, but was quite clear after a few days.
My wife decided to check my semen 3 days after the biopsy. Whilst I didn't object :).....the result was a pretty damn quick way of eradicating the erection I can tell you!
I saw the look of horror on her face, and bless her, she quickly tried to hide the semen and spare my concern.
Had I even seen a spot of blood in my urine or semen before this I would have gone wobbly at the knees, but thankfully this time I was a little prepared.
3 days might have been too soon though to avoid the throbbing of my undercarriage and rear end afterward, but hey ho.

Edited by member 30 Jul 2023 at 23:55  | Reason: Spelling Mistake

User
Posted 31 Jul 2023 at 13:53

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
It is currently still a very dark reddy brown that I don't think I've seen on any Dulux colour chart, though I expect Farrow and Ball probably do it :)

 

 

I think it's called "Transperinial Russet" 😉

Edited by member 31 Jul 2023 at 13:54  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 09 Aug 2023 at 09:22

Morning gents,

I want to thank you guys for the information in this here thread…….i found this after having a shot at masturbation this morning. I had a TPB yesterday on the morning (not something  I would like to repeat 🤦🏼‍♂️ But I’m a Gwendolyn like that) the nurse who saw me was awesome and gave a lot of information I was lacking up to that point. He did explain about blood in the urine and in my semen….,but he also said it’d be rose coloured……well, I can confirm it wasn’t freaking rose coloured……unless he meant crimson like I’d been shot….I won’t lie it scared the crap out of me hence looking around the net for answers.

im not afraid to admit I’ve been bawling my eyes out whilst looking as I was scared so much…..and I still have to admit to the missus how I found out…..not that I should be embarrassed but……I am.

and all of this was picked up from a routine blood test to find out why I’m getting so many chest infections after covid…..oh and if anyone has to have contrast with an mri, see if they can’t test you first? I went into anaphylaxis and it all got a bit tricky hah!

I’ve got two weeks till the results come back so fingers crossed

User
Posted 09 Aug 2023 at 19:16

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

im not afraid to admit I’ve been bawling my eyes out whilst looking as I was scared so much…..and I still have to admit to the missus how I found out…..not that I should be embarrassed but……I am.

I let my wife know that I was told this needed to be done to ensure that it was cleared out over the course of the first week or so... 😉

User
Posted 09 Aug 2023 at 19:54

Heh, we had a chat when she came home from work and I explained what had happened, she knew I was going to at some point she didn’t realise I was gonna try so soon hah……but I did say the more I do it the best chance I have of “flushing” things out…so 🤷‍♂️

User
Posted 09 Aug 2023 at 20:34
I told mine right after the op and told her I had to do it alone to save her from the horror show. She just rolled her eyes and said 'whatever' - but she was fine with it after I explained what came out LOL
User
Posted 10 Sep 2023 at 08:11

 

Hi what a relief to find this forum its reassuring to know I am not alone in this journey.

My psa has been monitored for 13 yrs with results between 2 to 15 and also had a TRUS 2010 with benign result. 

Had 33 samples taken from a transperienal biopsy 3 weeks ago (psa 15) followed by catheter insertion-bladder irrigation then sent home with catheter for 10 days. Since then blood in urine, bladder pain and burning on urination after catheter removed, very slow urine flow. Currently dealing with a uti on antibiotics urine clear pain / burning reducing.

Benign result which is a relief!

Havent been inclined to test semen output until yesterday. On ejaculated no semen at all! 

Is this normal?

User
Posted 10 Sep 2023 at 08:49
I think my first time was almost non-existant - try again daily and if nothing by Monday/Tuesday then give your GP a call - it could be a blockage or clot in the pipework.
User
Posted 22 Sep 2023 at 21:39

Is it better to release the bloody semen or is it safe to hold it in? 

User
Posted 22 Sep 2023 at 23:28

The body does a good job of absorbing blood which becomes scabs. However, it doesn't always manage to do it all if there's a lot in one place. The iron oxide from the hemoglobin cells is released when the cells break down and changes to a different oxide (bright red to rusty brown), which is literally rust. This is magnetic and if significant amounts remain, it interferes with any future MRI scans, reducing the detail which can be seen of the prostate around the rusty areas.

So, it's a good idea to get it out if you can, but don't bust a nut over it...

After a few days, it should have gone rusty colour. If you are still seeing bright red blood, that suggests new bleeding and maybe you're overdoing things.

WIth my first TRUS biopsy, on the way out I asked the urologist how long to wait before ejaculating, and he said, "don't wait". Well, I decided to wait until I got home at least😀, and then nearly 24h because I thought it might be painful, which it wasn't. It took 3 weeks to get it all flushed out.

My second biopsy was a template biopsy under general anesthetic. I'd been on Bicalutamide for 10 weeks by then and had very little semen as a consequence, and this meant I couldn't flush out the blood. About 3 months later I had a full body MRI scan (looking for mets). I got to speak with the radiologist who analysed the scan, and one of the questions I asked was that prostate cancer was supposedly hard ot see on MRI, but I had a bright white area in my prostate. Answer was that's not cancer, but an area of iron oxide left from bleeding, and as it's magnetic, it shows very brightly on an MRI scan.

User
Posted 23 Sep 2023 at 00:33

I had a biopsy 2 weeks ago and 1 week after I ejaculated blood, today I ejaculated and my semen was clear so I guess it depends on the person? 

User
Posted 26 Sep 2023 at 08:15

Was diagnosed with a right anterior prostate tumor at the extreme apex of the gland measuring 1.4 x 1.2 x 1 cm. At least a Gleason VII malignancy surrounding the urethral sphincter by 180 degrees. 

Following last week's targeted transrectal biopsy i was really concerned with the colur uf the sperm. So THANK YOU ALL for setting my mind to rest. 

Was just wondering whether ejaculation of semen with blood could spread cancer cells to other parts of body.

User
Posted 10 Oct 2023 at 16:46

Hi. Thank you to this forum and all who have posted here! My husband had a transrectal biopsy on 10/5 (results on the 12th). We were told, like all of you, to expect "some" blood in the urine, stool and semen. We were told to avoid sexual activity for 48 hours, so on the 8th I helped my husband (he wanted intercourse, I said no) and was shocked and horrified at what came out of his penis. I was completely unprepared. Like others described it, it looked like ketchup. Again last night, same thing. So having not been told the extent nor the color to expect, I called his urologist this morning and started searching online. I'm so glad to have found this and hope you do not mind a wife posting her relief at finding it is normal. And just so you know, the US is similarly deficient at describing what to expect post biopsy!

I know I can't speak for all partners, but I do think a condom for the first few to several weeks would be much appreciated to keep things more hygenic.

User
Posted 10 Oct 2023 at 17:09

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Was just wondering whether ejaculation of semen with blood could spread cancer cells to other parts of body.

I've never heard of any suggestion of this. Your cancer is not infectious to anyone else either, unless they are severely immunocompromised or on immunosuppressant drugs for organ transplant.

User
Posted 10 Oct 2023 at 17:27

LadyS, also bear in mind the colour will probably change over a period of time to pink and then possibly dark brown. My semen also got quite watery.

Hope all goes well and partners always welcome.

Thanks Chris 

User
Posted 01 Mar 2025 at 15:26

I realize this particular "conversation" hasn't been touched upon with new comments in some time, but I just wanted to say that I was brought to this forum via a Google search after having the scare of my life yesterday with the blood approximately 48 hours after my TRUS biopsy procedure.  In any case, reading through other's experiences in this "conversation" topic has been extremely reassuring to me that all is normal. Thank you to everyone for your contributions!

User
Posted 22 May 2025 at 18:12

Same has happened to me 

User
Posted 22 May 2025 at 18:48

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi there had a biopsy 10 days ago and decided to ejaculate after 5 days .was totally shocked at the amount  of blood that came out ,tryed again 2 days later same result. Can and give me a guide to how long this lasts for or does it go away with the more times you ejaculate .sorry for been so crued 

User
Posted 22 May 2025 at 18:51

I had my biopsy done 3 weeks ago  I masterbated 5 days after was shocked by the blood , I tried again today blood also but it’s a dark in  colour 

User
Posted 22 May 2025 at 19:55

I’m only 3 weeks after biopsy I masterbated after 5 days was shocked with amount of red blood , now 2 weeks later did it again but it’s dark blood .Why don’t they tell you about these things think I’ll do it everyday to see if helps clear it up quicker 

User
Posted 22 May 2025 at 20:40

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Why don’t they tell you about these things think I’ll do it everyday to see if helps clear it up quicker 

Bloomin' eck Derek. You might get repetitive wrist injury.

Joking apart mate. They should have told you about this side effect.

This is from a NHS information sheet: 

 You may pass blood-stained semen (fresh bright red blood, or ‘rust-coloured’ older blood) when you ejaculate for months after your prostate biopsies; it takes approximately 20 ejaculations for this to clear if it occurs.

User
Posted 22 May 2025 at 20:59

But when I ejaculte it’s just dark blood no sperm 

User
Posted 22 May 2025 at 21:34

This has just happened to me I’m only 3 weeks since had biopsy going next week for results , but it just seems like blood and not any sperm only my second time ejaculating 

User
Posted 22 May 2025 at 21:44

I’m just now at that stage  my 3rd time and just seems like blood and no sperm , how long did it last for you 

User
Posted 22 May 2025 at 22:10

I've had two prostate biopsies. I had blood in my semen for about 6 weeks after each. I suppose, like everything with this disease, it varies considerably. If you are really worried I'd seek medical advice, mate.

User
Posted 23 May 2025 at 07:50

It's usually bright red for the first few days. Think tomato ketchup. It's not all blood even though it looks like it, or it would be a clot.

After the first few days, the red blood cells which had leaked out break down, and the bright red iron oxide which was in their hemoglobin turns into rust (a different iron oxide) and hence the bright red turns brown (it literally is rust). This is a bruise (leaked blood). Any presence of bright red after a few days means new bleeding, whereas brown means it's from old bleeding.

If you don't ejaculate for many weeks, you can find your semen is black by the time you do.

We get very worried calls on the helplines for red/blown/black semen. The hospital leaflets are woefully inadequate in setting expectations.

It is worth trying to get it out. Your body will try to break down and reabsorb the leaked blood/bruise, but with the amount in the prostate after a biopsy, it won't usually manage to do it that way. This can leave you with literally rust in your prostate. This is magnetic, and it can interfere with future MRI scans, and prevent getting high resolution images of your prostate, e.g. due to later recurrence. So it is worth trying to ejaculate it too. If you are on hormone therapy already, you might find you can't ejaculate the blood.

User
Posted 23 May 2025 at 08:01

Cheers that’s re assuring as no one  at hospital tells you these things plus I’m just a worrier 

User
Posted 23 May 2025 at 12:12

I had my biopsy 3 weeks ago go for results in another week fingers crossed . I expected blood in pee which cleared up after 9 days but had play and was amazing with the blood when climaxed , so waited 5 more days did it again yesterday and today and looks a brown colour . The hospital don’t tell you anything about this 

User
Posted 23 May 2025 at 12:19

I had my biopsy 3 weeks ago had blood in pee for 9 days had a play on 7 th day was amazed with blood , so left it another 5 days a had another go yesterday dark colour blood and again this morning . People say the more you do it the quicker it gets sorted how long did it take you for it to clear 

User
Posted 24 May 2025 at 00:35

It really is annoying that the doctor and the hospital where we have these biopsies performed don't warn us.  Scared the living daylights out of me. It was like a murder scene.  My biopsy was way back in ~Feb. 2025, and I'd say it took about 15 or so times to clear it. I do recommend doing so to the best of your ability. I'm now on active surveillance for a 0.5 mm spot in there (3+3 = 6 Gleason), so if the next PSA has escalated, I'd expect another MRI, blah blah. 

At least if I have to have another biopsy, I'll be mentally prepared for the after effects.

But, you really have to keep going if you have to have another biopsy. A true case of sucking it up and all that for your own health rather than avoiding it.

User
Posted 24 May 2025 at 06:31

Hi thanks for commenting on the subject , I’ll keep going with it plus it’s reassuring that everyone goes through it . It’s just a shock when you do it but good to know it’s just a normal process and will clear up . I only came across this site by chance and glad I did as its eased my mind knowing it’s normal to have dark blood when masterbate, blood in my pee stopped week ago 

User
Posted 24 May 2025 at 14:47

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

It really is annoying that the doctor and the hospital where we have these biopsies performed don't warn us.

It's in the patient information document that most if not all NHS Trusts will pass on before the procedure is performed. Here's an example from Gloucestershire: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/media/documents/Transperineal_biopsy_of_the_prostate_GHPI1563_03_21.pdf

User
Posted 24 May 2025 at 16:33

Yes it’s so annoying the nurse even called me day before to ask me my concerns but she never mentioned about the after effects, how long did it take for you to stop the dark blood when masterbating , my blood it pee lasted 8 days then when I had a fiddle I was shocked with the blood but many gays say do it often and it will clear quicker 

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 12:44

I was warned about blood in semen after my biopsy but I wrongly assumed it would be stained red/brown rather than the usual white/yellowish colour.

I didn’t ejaculate for a couple of weeks afterwards but when I did I was shocked to release a good tablespoon of pure blood. I’m glad I was on my own and in the bathroom when it happened as I hadn't expected such a mess. Gradually over the following three or four weeks things returned to normal in terms of colour and consistency.

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 13:14

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

It really is annoying that the doctor and the hospital where we have these biopsies performed don't warn us.

It's in the patient information document that most if not all NHS Trusts will pass on before the procedure is performed. Here's an example from Gloucestershire: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/media/documents/Transperineal_biopsy_of_the_prostate_GHPI1563_03_21.pdf

It says:
"You can expect to see blood in the semen for up to 6 weeks. This is normal and will not cause any serious harm."

That really is woefully inadequate for what usually happens, and doesn't explain brown or black semen.

On the way out of the urology department after my biopsy, I caught the urologist and asked, how long should I wait before I can ejacuate?

His answer, Don't wait!

Well, I decided to go home first, at least.

It was some months later when a radiologist mentioned that you should try to get it all out, because the iron left behind from large quantities of leaked blood can reduce the quality of MRI images you might need of the prostate in the future. I've never seen that mentioned in the leaflets at all.

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 16:07

Yes same as me but hopefully shouldn’t be much longer for me 

User
Posted 25 May 2025 at 19:40
I had the same observations as you Andy but I must admit I wasn't expecting it to be red in the first place as I’d associate that with active bleeding (which this isn't). I am with you on the wider issue though i.e. that some of the side effects seemed to be understated in the information that's pushed out.
 
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