Sperm with mucus is usually not the only symptom of the inflammatory process of the male reproductive system, usually localized in the prostate gland. With prostatitis, an elevated level of red blood cells is observed and an admixture of mucus is found in the seminal fluid. This is a serious deviation from the norm, which may affect the man’s ability to conceive, because an atypical substance reduces the speed of sperm movement.
What does normal sperm look like
Normal sperm is a stretching agent of moderate viscosity. The substance should not have a pungent odor, normally the color should be white with a yellowish or grayish tint. When ejaculation is released from two to five milliliters. Semen is opaque due to the presence of sperm. In appearance, the substance resembles mucus. Sperm thickens after the ejaculation, and after a few minutes it becomes more fluid and transparent. Normally, the viscosity of the seminal fluid should be moderate. A substance that is too thick can be a sign of infertility, vesiculitis, enzyme deficiency, or prostatitis.
In one milliliter of seminal fluid there should be about two million germ cells. A smaller number of sperm is a deviation and may indicate obstruction of the ducts, retrograde ejaculation, or too frequent sexual contact. Retrograde ejaculation is a rare abnormality in which semen does not exit into the external environment, but in the opposite direction. Pathology can be the result of injuries, displacement of veins, surgical interventions, endocrine dysfunction, intoxication (alcoholic, narcotic or nicotine) and so on.
Secrets of the male urogenital system
Mucus in the seminal fluid in a certain amount is normal. Moreover, the total amount of sperm depends on the volume of mucus. The composition of this part of the ejaculate contains the secrets of several sections of the urogenital system of men, namely the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, urethral glands. All secrets support the normal functioning of sperm and the possibility of conception.
Mucus can turn into a jelly-like mass under the influence of the environment. So nature took care of increasing the chances of conception. Remaining in the female genital tract, a jelly-like sperm after a few minutes goes into a liquid state. Seminal fluid, due to its natural properties, does not leak from a woman’s vagina as long as sperm remains viable.
Jelly-like mucus usually makes up to 50-60% of ejaculate. This is the secret of seminal vesicles, which has a whitish-yellow color and contains a special protein-carbohydrate complex in its composition. The main element is fructose, the content of which in the sperm of a healthy man is 13-15 mmol / l. Fructose provides sperm with energy. Two hours after ejaculation, the content of the protein-carbohydrate complex in the biological fluid drops to 2-3 mmol / L.
The ability to liquefy is regulated by the secretion of the prostate gland, which is rich in enzymes that break down the connection of protein with fructose. Enzymes are active in an alkaline environment, which provides all the organs of the male reproductive system.
Causes of mucus in semen
Changes in sperm appearance can be quantitative or qualitative. If other indicators are normal, then an increase in the amount of mucus in the seminal fluid does not mean anything bad and is not a pathology. Why can mucus in semen appear? This happens with prolonged sexual abstinence. An increase in the volume of secreted semen of more than 6-8 ml is observed with irritation of the seminal vesicles. The latter may be associated with the inflammatory process or be a variant of the norm.
Other reasons that a mucus is secreted in a man instead of sperm may be impaired prostate functionality. A similar symptom is observed with adenoma, prostatitis, cancer. Liquefaction of the substance and composition of seminal fluid is also observed. The presence of benign or malignant tumors in the organs of the genitourinary system, inflammatory processes and infections can affect the composition of the seed. In many diseases, semen acquires a greenish or yellowish tint, and an unpleasant odor additionally appears.
Bruises and other injuries of the pelvis
With pelvic injuries, an admixture of a small amount of blood in the semen appears. This situation requires urgent medical advice. Any bumps or bruises, as well as surgical interventions in the perineum, can cause mucous inclusions in the fluid. The patient also feels pain, especially manifested during intercourse.
With such a problem, diagnosis of the entire reproductive system and a general full examination will be required. The sooner the patient seeks medical help, the more effective the treatment will be and the chances of successful conception in a natural way.
Pathological and physiological phenomena
Externally, “unhealthy” semen (half is mucus, the rest is normal) may be a variant of the norm for an individual man. The physiological fluid may be with small white clots; in appearance, such inclusions resemble rice grains with a jelly-like structure. Such clots appear as a result of improper distribution of peptides in the ejaculate, their bonding due to the absence of division by seminal vesicles.
Smaller white inclusions appear due to the accumulation of sperm in a small amount of seminal fluid. Such lumps may appear during ejaculation after prolonged abstinence. In this case, the sperm thickens, its volume decreases, but the sperm count remains stable.
In inflammatory processes affecting the male urogenital system, purulent clots usually appear in the seminal fluid. The patient may feel sharp pain and discomfort in the groin area. Mucous lumps can acquire a greenish or yellow color, often have an unpleasant odor. Brown or red inclusions are the result of rupture of the walls of blood vessels. Blood enters the ejaculate and coagulates under the influence of proteins. At the same time, sperm thickens, its amount decreases.
Dense inclusions in seminal fluid are the first sign of vesiculitis. This is an inflammatory process in the area of seminal vesicles, which are located near the prostate. Other signs of the disease include decreased sex drive, decreased potency, pain and burning during sexual intercourse or urination.
Diseases of the prostate, prostatitis
Yellow or gray clots of mucus in the semen indicate prostatitis. The disease is accompanied by congestive processes in the pelvic organs, which lead to a deterioration or complete lack of potency. Inflammation develops rather quickly, there is an increase in temperature and pain in the groin. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that mucus in semen is one of the very first signs of the disease.
A pinkish tint of body fluid may indicate prostate disease. This may be a consequence of a tumor of a benign or malignant nature. Such diseases, as a rule, affect older men. Certain diseases can interfere with conception.
The low mucus content in semen usually does not negatively affect a man’s state of health or the possibility of fertilization. But an excessive amount of mucus can talk about gluing sperm, preventing their free movement. There is a danger of infertility. In dangerous cases, other symptoms of the disease appear: itching and burning in the inguinal zone, pain, increased normal white blood cells, red blood cells and macrophages in semen.
The possibility of conception in the presence of mucus
A lot of mucus in semen is an alarming sign that can have a negative effect on the possibility of conception. Successful fertilization may not be possible with various infectious diseases and inflammatory processes affecting the male urogenital system. To find out the presence of diseases, you need to contact a medical institution for advice, undergo a full examination and pass tests.
In other cases, minor inclusions in the seminal fluid do not affect the man's ability to fertilize. The same goes for using sperm for IVF. Mucus in semen does not prevent conception. But only if it is a physiological norm for an individual man, and not the consequence of the inflammatory process. IVF with mucus in semen is possible, but if you still cannot get pregnant (in the absence of other reasons), the doctor will recommend taking a course of vitamins for men.
In which cases it is necessary to consult a doctor
In general, men over forty are advised to visit a doctor annually, regular young men will also be able to visit young men. Consultation is necessary at the first symptoms of the disease. You need to make an appointment if there is yellow mucus in the semen, the volume of secretions has sharply decreased or increased, the mucus has an unpleasant odor or ejaculation is accompanied by unpleasant sensations. Thick mucus reduces the ability of sperm to fertilize and contributes to the development of pathology, so timely treatment is important.
Diagnosis of the inflammatory process
To establish the cause of the appearance of mucus in the semen, it is necessary to consult with an andrologist or urologist, pass all the tests and undergo examinations, which the doctor will give a referral. After this, the specialist will be able to form a conclusion about the causes of mucus inclusions in the spermogram. An ultrasound of the scrotum with Doppler, the determination of testosterone in the blood (hormonal examination) and so on can be prescribed. After injury to the corresponding area, control tests are carried out after three to six months, sometimes the tests must be repeated repeatedly.
What can a spermogram show
A spermogram provides information about the various characteristics of male seminal fluid. Before passing the analysis, a man should for some time refrain from sex and masturbation. In the event that an impurity of mucus is found in the substance, specialists, using the results of analysis and other studies, will be able to determine the causes and appropriate treatment tactics. To get the correct result, you will need to pass several tests, it is advisable to go through diagnostics in different centers.
The treatment regimen for pathological abnormalities
If sperm comes out with mucus, it is necessary to establish a provoking factor, after which treatment tactics will be developed. Without appropriate therapy, a man may lose the opportunity to conceive a child. Conservative therapy is usually prescribed, but in some cases, surgery may be necessary. Vitaminization and physiotherapeutic procedures are additionally shown.