Healthy semen is usually of whitish-grey in color. A change in the color of your semen is a sign that something is wrong with your body.You should be concerned if you experience yellow semen. Semen is a gel-like liquid discharged by males during ejaculation. Semen is a thick and whitish liquid containing sperm. Semen travels along the male reproductive system. Reproductive glands and organs are responsible for the production and transportation of semen.
Malfunctioning of these areas may lead to yellow semen. It is, however, can be treated. Yellow semen is also a symptom of severe health issues. So, the yellow color persists for longer, seek medical help.
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How Can The Color Of Semen Change?
Semen is discharged from the male penis. It is a combination of secretions from male reproductive glands. Some changes or infections in these areas may result in yellow semen.
All of these reproductive organs and glands play an important role in ejaculation.
The glands responsible for semen production are listed below:
1. Epididymis And Testicles
Testicles are the reproductive organs that release sperms. The epididymis is a tubule that carries sperms from the testicles to the vas deferens.
2. Seminal Vesicles
Seminal vesicles increase the volume of semen. Their secretions are high in fructose. These glands add up nutrients to the sperm and produce a significant volume of semen.
3. Prostate Gland
The prostate gland produces a chemical known as a prostate-specific antigen. It causes a reaction in the semen that helps the sperm move easily. It helps the sperm reach an egg easily.
4. Bulbourethral And Urethral Glands
The secretions from these glands help in sperm movement. They also help the semen travel easily along the reproductive tract.
Causes Of Yellow Semen
1. Presence Of Urine In The Semen
Sometimes yellow semen is due to the presence of urine. This is because urine gets left behind in the urethra. The urethra helps excrete out urine and sperm in your body.
Due to this, urine passes with semen. This combination of urine and semen make your semen yellowish in color.
The following can be the causes of urine retention:
- Urinary tract infections
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
2. Old Age
Your semen becomes yellower as you grow older. It is normal and does not cause any harm. It will not affect your fertility at all.
However, it does not mean that every semen discharge will be yellowish in color. Older men discharge yellow semen as compared to younger men.
3. Jaundice
People having jaundice may notice their skin appears pale yellow. This disease can also affect the color of your semen. Jaundice is caused due to excess secretion of bilirubin i.e. a bile pigment in your body.
Jaundice can be caused due to the following conditions:
- Hepatitis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Alcohol abuse
- Genetic metabolic disorders
- Certain medications
- Inflammation of the gallstone or gallbladder
- Pancreatic cancer
- Pancreatitis
4. Leukocytospermia
A usual high number of leukocytes in the semen causes leuko cytospermia. It is also known as pyospermia. It makes your semen appear yellow.
It can also result in the damage to sperms. Ultimately, that reduces your fertility.
Leukocytospermia is caused by the following conditions:
- An infection
- Genital infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or herpes
- Autoimmune diseases
- Swelling in the area around penis or groin
- Alcohol, marijuana and tobacco abuse
- Urethra stricture (narrowing of your urethra)
- Infrequent ejaculation
- Dilated veins emerging from your testicles
5. Prostate Infection
Yellow semen can also be a sign of prostate infection. Prostate infections can be caused when bacteria attack your prostate gland. These bacteria usually leak into your prostate through urine.
Other symptoms of prostate infection are listed below:
- Difficult and painful urination
- Frequent urination
- Painful ejaculation
- Whitish urine
- Pain in the lower back, abdomen, or penis
6. Lifestyle
Alcohol and tobacco consumption may also affect the color of your semen. Alcohol abuse usually makes your semen turn yellow temporarily. Some men may experience yellow semen due to the intake of foods high in sulfur.
Certain foods like garlic, onions, and chives may also make your semen turn yellow on a short-term basis. Certain medications may also be a reason for yellow semen.
Vitamin supplements may also cause yellow semen. If you are taking these supplements, stop them to see if the normal color appears again.
7. Ejaculation After a Long Period
Ejaculating after a long period of time may also lead to yellowish semen. It is because your body discharges old semen after ejaculating so long. The old semen may be yellowish in color.
When you don’t ejaculate, the semen gets collected in seminal vesicles that make it thicker. This old semen gets clumpy when discharged after a long time.
8. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Some of the STIs can also cause yellowish semen. Some sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia are the culprits of yellow semen. You may experience following symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease:
- Burning sensation during urination
- Painful urination
- Itching
- Frequent urination
Symptoms Of Yellow Semen
Following are the symptoms associated with yellow semen. These indicate that something is wrong with your overall health.
- Foul Odor
- Painful Urination
- Frequent Urination
- Burning Sensation While Urinating
Home Remedies For Yellow Semen
1. Have Plenty Of Liquids
Thick and yellow semen can be a result of dehydration. Drink enough water and liquids for whitish and healthy semen. Increase your water intake and drink at least 3 liters of water every day.
Take more fruit juices of fresh fruits. Don’t buy fruit juices available in the markets. Instead, buy a good juicer for juicing fresh fruits.
Ensure that your body is hydrated especially during the daytime.
2. Take Herbal Boosters
Yellow semen can also result due to changes in levels of free testosterone. Testosterone is the primary sex hormone. It starts decreasing in men after the age of 30. Low testosterone is usually a cause of poor quality sperm.
You need to maintain the quality of your sperm by taking herbal supplements. You will get white and good healthy semen, unlike the clumpy and unpleasant semen.
3. Improve Your Diet
Oh, it is really common. A poor diet is often a cause for a number of health problems. It is also a reason behind poor sperm quality and yellow semen. Consuming foods high in carbs and wrong fats lead to yellowish semen. Lack of nutrients and poor diet is often a cause of sperm problems.
If you want to have healthy and white semen, improve your diet. Cut out junk and processed foods. You should eliminate white carbs such as pasta and bread. Also, avoid low-value snacks such as potato chips and peanuts.
Instead, include cruciferous vegetables in your diet. Foods such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and sprouts are beneficial for healthy semen.
4. Detox For Healthy Semen
Detox is a simple and effective method to get rid of yellow semen. When you detox, you have more energy and clearer thoughts. Detoxifying has many benefits for health and skin. In order to detox, including raw vegetables and fruits in your diet.
How To Prevent Yellow Semen?
- Have a Balanced And Nutritious Diet
- Drink Plenty Of Water
- Use Protection During Sexual Intercourse
When To See A Doctor?
A color change in your semen may be temporary. It may go away on its own after a short period of your time. But if that yellow color persists for more than a week, see your doctor.
Consult your doctor if you notice the following Symptoms Along With yellow semen:
- Painful urination
- Problem during sexual intercourse
- Blood in your urine
- Fever
- Foul smell in semen
- Pain while ejaculation
Is Yellow Sperm Good Or Bad?
It is normal for a man to produce yellow sperm. It can even smell bad and vary in texture, however, it is normal. But if the yellow semen persist for more than one week, then it’s a bad sign.
It shows that there is an underlying issue that has caused a change in its color. So, you must consult your doctor if your experience such problem.
If Your Sperm Is Yellow Can You Still Get a Girl Pregnant?
Yes, semen is not always white. Slightly yellow colored semen is normal. You can get a girl pregnant if your sperm is yellow.
Final Talk
It is not at all abnormal if you discharge yellow semen. Sometimes it is because of diet, some substances, and lifestyle. The yellow color disappears on its own.
However, dark yellow semen with a foul odor is a cause for concern. Some symptoms associated with yellow semen are signs of a health issue. You must not ignore it and take appropriate treatment approach.
