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is it normal to have blood in semen after a long 15-hour nonstop flight?

is it normal to have blood in semen after a long 15-hour nonstop flight?

Old Nov 24, 2015, 9:38 am
  #31  
 
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Originally Posted by Bsmwrth
Again,I'm not a doctor and this is not advice, but I do note that a PSA test is non-invasive and very inexpensive, and could set one's mind at rest.
Indeed. My GP says it is always wise to ask for a test as a routine so you have a reading to compare to at a later date. The change in numbers is often a more useful indicator than just a high(ish) score.
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Old Nov 24, 2015, 9:57 am
  #32  
 
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As a medical student, I wanted to read more about this so I searched in UpToDate (a database for some of the most up to date medical literature), and here are some select citations of what UpToDate (article: http://www.uptodate.com/contents/hematospermia) said:

"INTRODUCTION Hematospermia, the presence of grossly bloody or blood-tinged penile (seminal) ejaculate, is an uncommon condition. While it is usually alarming to patients, the cause is almost always benign. Only a few case series have been published, nearly all of which are from urology specialty practices.

Because of the paucity of research literature, there is little evidence on which clinicians can base their evaluation of patients with hematospermia. Searching for the rare causes that have been identified in case reports is not likely to be productive, and the relative frequencies of causes reported in case series from urology specialty practices may not apply to primary care practice. The most important lesson from the literature is that hematospermia is almost never a sign of cancer in younger patients."

Also:

"The major conclusions drawn from these and other studies are that hematospermia is almost always caused by a benign condition in younger men and, in many cases, no clear cause can be identified. In older men with hematospermia, genitourinary cancers should be considered in the differential diagnosis, but the rate of such cancers is low, even after long-term follow-up."

And, in the patient information section (this is what you will be given as a handout after you leave a doctor's visit):

"●In most cases, the evaluation will not identify a clear cause of hematospermia. Thus, there is no specific medical or surgical treatment for the majority of patients, and the condition will usually resolve spontaneously.
●When no serious abnormalities with hematospermia are found, the most important therapeutic intervention is reassurance."

It sounds like the OP had a very thorough work-up for a bunch of etiologies from an expert urologist. So, at this stage, if cancer/infection etc has been ruled out then I would encourage OP to relax, and go back to provider if symptoms worsen or exacerbate.
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Old Nov 24, 2015, 11:53 am
  #33  
 
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Originally Posted by BelgianWaffle
is it normal to have blood in semen after a long 15-hour nonstop flight?

I sometimes get that.... the first that it happened, my lady friend and I
freaked out and went to the emergency room near the airport. The ER
doctors checked me out and said I was fine.

After I returned home, I went to my regular doctor who did the usual
test.... physically examined my private areas... and ordered other
additional tests.(blood, urine, ultrasound, etc)A couple of weeks later,
she called me and I went in... she basically told me that I was perfectly
fine. I've had the same doctor for 20 years. Not that I didn't trust her,
but I went behind her back and made an appointment with an urology
specialist. I chose this doctor because he was also the professor at a
large medical school. It was out-of-network and I ended up paying
nearly $700. He performed almost the same tests. Again.. nothing
was found. That was 4 years ago. By the way the blood in semen
always goes away after about a week or so after the flights. It NEVER
happens if I don't fly on a really long flight... usually 15 hours nonstop.

Now whenever I fly really long nonstop flights, I get this problem.
I still get regular check-ups 6 months or so from my regular doctor.
I mentioned to her that I was still having this problem. She again
checked me, but sill nothing to be found. I went back to the urology
specialist last month... and also nothing. He said it was normal for
some men to have this issue, but it's nothing to be concerned about.

Am I being paranoid? I'm thinking about getting a 3rd opinion. I
know nurses who know people at Mayo and Cleveland Clinic and
they shoudl be pretty good, right? I'm asking right now because it
happened to me again last week after a 14-hour flight. (actually,
it was 14-nonstop, then connecting to a 7-hour nonstop)
I am a doctor. There is nothing to worry about. However, my doctorate is in chemistry and not medicine so my professional opinion is worth about as much as the rest of the people on this site.

LOL!!!
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Old Nov 24, 2015, 12:43 pm
  #34  
 
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Normal finding

[QUOTE=skywardhunter;25736152]well... this is a weird thread to stumble upon. I think the obvious reason must be pressure differentials, my concern would be if you've got a vein/artery popping in down there what if it happens somewhere more dangerous like your brain... not to be alarmist[/QUOTE

The type of answer above is what makes internet discussion groups so unreliable. The person voicing an opinion (skywardhunter) clearly has no medical background whatsoever and is "shooting from the hip". He has no idea how ridiculous his answer is, and may, unfortunately, lead other people astray.

Blood in the ejaculate is a relatively rare finding, especially in older men. Its occurrence has nothing to do with altitude, pressure, or length of a flight. While a doctor exam is suggested for an initial episode, most cases will resolve spontaneously. See http://www.harvardprostateknowledge....ia-demystified

Shame on skywardhunter for nonsensically speculating about "obvious reasons" and other unlikely consequences of air travel.
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Old Nov 24, 2015, 4:52 pm
  #35  
 
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[QUOTE=mfreifeld;25766323]
Originally Posted by skywardhunter
well... this is a weird thread to stumble upon. I think the obvious reason must be pressure differentials, my concern would be if you've got a vein/artery popping in down there what if it happens somewhere more dangerous like your brain... not to be alarmist[/QUOTE

The type of answer above is what makes internet discussion groups so unreliable. The person voicing an opinion (skywardhunter) clearly has no medical background whatsoever and is "shooting from the hip". He has no idea how ridiculous his answer is, and may, unfortunately, lead other people astray.

Blood in the ejaculate is a relatively rare finding, especially in older men. Its occurrence has nothing to do with altitude, pressure, or length of a flight. While a doctor exam is suggested for an initial episode, most cases will resolve spontaneously. See http://www.harvardprostateknowledge....ia-demystified

Shame on skywardhunter for nonsensically speculating about "obvious reasons" and other unlikely consequences of air travel.
If the OP wanted medical advice I think he wouldn't be turning to an online discussion forum. Any reasonable person knows to take anything posted in this thread with a grain of salt.

No need to get all upset. To a person without medical knowledge (e.g. me) that is in fact the obvious explanation, that is all I was offering. This isn't a United Nations debate.
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Old Nov 24, 2015, 7:28 pm
  #36  
 
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Possible causes

Possible causes other than blood in urine for red pee can come from eating foods with red food coloring or natural red color.
Stones in kidney or bladder can cause red colored urine. CT scan will usually show stones that do not show up from other procedures.
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Old Nov 24, 2015, 7:40 pm
  #37  
 
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Prostate infection

Sorry to say... You probably had something that got worse prior to the flight. Pink is most likely an infection. If you have pain in a testical again infection. Should it turn dull grey or silver same deal.

Cipro fixes it. Call your gp or urologist and say what's going on.

Unfortunately been there done that. Why? You're a male as far as the doctors say...
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Old Nov 25, 2015, 1:57 am
  #38  
 
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Originally Posted by superangrypenguin
?

Never in years of excessive alcohol consumption has my urine changed color...
It'll usually dilute it so it'll appear clearer, until the next day when you're dehydrated and it'll become more concentrated and yellow/orangy.

Let this be a lesson to everyone reading - if you have a medical problem, ask a medical person. All posting on an internet forum will do is scare you with a whole lot of different opinions (all from people with differing qualifications) and cause unnecessary stress. You've been to a few docs and have had extensive tests. You're probably fine, don't worry about it.
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Old Nov 25, 2015, 1:27 pm
  #39  
 
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Hello,
I thank you Belgian Waffle for posting this question as I am finding the question (and responses) quite interesting. Why not open up this issue to a wide audience and hear what others have to say? I am glad you have been checked out medically with no issues noted.

Since this only happens to you after very long flights, I think it may have to do with the dry environment. As we all know:
"The air at altitudes of 30,000 to 35,000 feet, where most commercial airlines fly, is extremely dry, and the recirculation systems used in airplane cabins dry the air out even more. The lack of humidity sucks moisture from the tissues of the nose and mouth, compromising the body's natural defense system."

It is stressful on the body to fly, especially for such long periods, and your body may be more sensitive than most to this condition. For future flights, I would go above and beyond to stay hydrated.

Meaning:
- No alcohol/caffeine a few days prior to the flight, during the flight, and the day after the flight (while your body adjusts).
- Drink lots of coconut water the day/evening before (electrolytes), and buy some in the airport to take with you on the plane.
- Drink at least one glass of water per hour on the flight (when you are thirsty, your body is already dehydrated).
- Bring your own water on the plane if the airline doesn't provide (or runs out of) extra bottles of water. If you have to urinate a bit more often, so be it.

Hydration is also good to prevent DVT (plus taking a baby aspirin the night before the flight and the day of the flight if you don't have problems with aspirin). Compression socks, too.

Anything you can do to boost your immune system would also be good (the obvious - plenty of sleep, proper diet, boost your vitamin C by eating some oranges, lots of fruit and vegetables, juicing, maybe some supplements if you are open to that, probiotics.)

I don't know what preparation you make before long flights, but if you don't already do any of the above you may wish to try for your next flight and see what happens.

I just got back from Australia (14 hour flight and 10 hour flight, each way) and it certainly is tough on your body to fly for so long even in business class lying in a pod.
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Old Nov 27, 2015, 8:24 pm
  #40  
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Cool

Originally Posted by JamesLoughney
My friend - I had similar symptoms two years ago. Like an idiot I looked at the internet and concluded I could have cancer of practically any organ between the knees and the navel. After I spoke to my General Practitioner he referred me to a Consultant Neurologist here in the UK for more diagnostic tests. Long story short - no medical issues. I got strong advice from all the medical professionals that it is a not uncommon condition, perhaps caused by "mechanical damage" resulting from, shall we say, over-vigorous manual stimulation by an intimate partner - or possibly self-administered. Also by the way they said the nature of the delicate plumbing down there can mean it will take a number of weeks, possibly a month or so, for healing to complete and the visible symptoms to disappear entirely. So I am now symptom free and a wiser man!
Neurologist?
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Old Dec 8, 2015, 8:34 am
  #41  
 
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Doc Savage - Sorry - should remember to proof check. Should of course have been "Urologist" not "Neurologist". The latter is the man I see when I need my head examined!
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Old Dec 10, 2015, 7:08 pm
  #42  
 
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Originally Posted by JamesLoughney
Doc Savage - Sorry - should remember to proof check. Should of course have been "Urologist" not "Neurologist". The latter is the man I see when I need my head examined!
every man has two heads. that's all I'm gonna say.

perhaps it was a Freudian slip?
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Old Mar 5, 2018, 12:06 pm
  #43  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
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How are you

Hi,

Have your symptoms ever returned? I have the same problem which has happened several times over the years and mostly always after a long haul flight and consuming alcohol on the plane. I think there must be a link to being dehydrated and it affecting the prostate.





Originally Posted by BelgianWaffle
is it normal to have blood in semen after a long 15-hour nonstop flight?

I sometimes get that.... the first that it happened, my lady friend and I
freaked out and went to the emergency room near the airport. The ER
doctors checked me out and said I was fine.

After I returned home, I went to my regular doctor who did the usual
test.... physically examined my private areas... and ordered other
additional tests.(blood, urine, ultrasound, etc)A couple of weeks later,
she called me and I went in... she basically told me that I was perfectly
fine. I've had the same doctor for 20 years. Not that I didn't trust her,
but I went behind her back and made an appointment with an urology
specialist. I chose this doctor because he was also the professor at a
large medical school. It was out-of-network and I ended up paying
nearly $700. He performed almost the same tests. Again.. nothing
was found. That was 4 years ago. By the way the blood in semen
always goes away after about a week or so after the flights. It NEVER
happens if I don't fly on a really long flight... usually 15 hours nonstop.

Now whenever I fly really long nonstop flights, I get this problem.
I still get regular check-ups 6 months or so from my regular doctor.
I mentioned to her that I was still having this problem. She again
checked me, but sill nothing to be found. I went back to the urology
specialist last month... and also nothing. He said it was normal for
some men to have this issue, but it's nothing to be concerned about.

Am I being paranoid? I'm thinking about getting a 3rd opinion. I
know nurses who know people at Mayo and Cleveland Clinic and
they shoudl be pretty good, right? I'm asking right now because it
happened to me again last week after a 14-hour flight. (actually,
it was 14-nonstop, then connecting to a 7-hour nonstop)
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Old Aug 21, 2018, 1:56 am
  #44  
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Blood with sperm, it's strange! Most likely you broke the bridle because from the inside it is almost not real! You better go to the doctor.
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Old May 10, 2019, 12:18 am
  #45  
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
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Originally Posted by skywardhunter
+1

Anyone who checks their symptoms on the internet to self-diagnose invariably ends up concluding that they have some terminal disease, when it's probably a cold.
Totally agreed!
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