Semen thickness indicates these diseases

There are many questions about whether semen clumping makes a man feel comfortable or not. Some answered no and others answered yes, but the most important thing is that the truth behind this clumping does not mean a man's sexual inability, because semen is sperm that we can only see under a microscope. The clumping or thickness of the semen is a result or evidence of a fungal infection, which is the subject of this article.

Components of semen

The components of healthy semen include the following:

Sperms, which are produced in the testicles, and the sperm carry a copy of the man's genes, to perform their physiological function in fertilizing the egg in the female reproductive system through the process of intercourse. Sperm constitute less than 10% of semen.

Seminal plasma, which forms the consistency of semen, is the medium in which sperm cells remain alive and easy to move.

Nutrients and hormones, which are secreted by the following glands:

Sex glands Prostate, the prostate gland produces approximately 30% of the components of semen that make up seminal plasma, such as citric acid, acid phosphatase, calcium, sodium, zinc, potassium, and enzymes that break down protein and fibers.

Spermatocysts, which are vesicles located above the prostate gland and secrete some components of semen to form more than 40% of semen, and the materials secreted by fructose, amino acids, citric acid, phosphorus, potassium, and hormones known as prostaglandins.

The bulbar and urethral glands, which secrete a small amount ranging between 2-5% of the components of semen, such as some thick and transparent protein known as mucus.

Difference between semen and pre-ejaculate

A fluid similar in consistency to seminal fluid called pre-ejaculate is secreted immediately before ejaculation, as it is released from the urethra out of the body through the penis as a result of any sexual stimulation.

Pre-ejaculate is characterized by being transparent in color, sticky in texture, and its components differ from those of semen. Although it contains a small number of sperm, its arrival to the egg may cause it to be fertilized and lead to pregnancy during intercourse.

How much semen does the testicle produce daily?

The testicles can produce approximately 1,500 sperm per second, which is estimated at several million sperm per day.

The normal concentration of sperm in semen is estimated at approximately 20 million sperm per 1 ml of semen, at least, and at least 40 million sperm are ejaculated in each ejaculation.

Indicators of semen health

Semen is defined as the fluid through which sperm move to complete the ejaculation process. Here are the most important indicators of semen health:

It contains a group of elements in addition to sperm, such as: enzymes, vitamin C, calcium, sodium, protein, zinc, and fructose sugar.

Its color is cloudy white.

Its texture is like jelly.

Its size ranges from 1.5 - 6.8 milliliters.

Its smell is similar to the smell of chlorine.

Indications of a defect in semen health

Here are the most prominent of them in the following:

1. Change in semen color

The most prominent indicators of a defect in the health of this fluid is a change in color. Here are the details in the following:

Change in semen color to red

This is due to the appearance of blood in the semen and the explosion of blood vessels, which is a condition that does not require concern as it will not last for more than two days and then the semen returns to its natural color.

If blood continues to appear in the semen, you should go to the doctor because it indicates a defect in the health of the semen, such as: infection and inflammation, blood vessel diseases, or liver diseases.

Change in the color of the semen to yellow or green

The yellow or green color in the semen may indicate a sexually transmitted disease, which requires treatment with antibiotics.

This problem is accompanied by some other symptoms, such as: the appearance of sores or blisters on the penis, in addition to pain and burning during urination, swelling, and itching.

Change in the color of the semen to black

The change in the color of the semen to black is associated with a spinal cord injury.

The presence of heavy metals in the semen, such as: lead, nickel, and manganese, causes its color to change to black, and exposure to these substances may occur as a result of environmental factors.

2. Change in semen volume

The health of semen can change by becoming small for some reasons, which are:

Following bad habits, such as smoking, and taking medications without consulting a doctor, such as antidepressants and high blood pressure medications.

Hormonal disorders in men, which increase the chances of developing them with age.

Malnutrition, as semen can tell you the body's need for proper nutrition; because malnutrition can affect the health of semen through its quantity and flow.

Blockage of the ducts that transport semen, as this causes retrograde ejaculation and low semen, which indicates some diseases, such as diabetes, prostate cancer, and nerve damage.

3. Change in semen odor

The smell of semen is very similar to the smell of chlorine or bleach for clothes, which is used to disinfect them, meaning it resembles the smell of sterilization.

When the smell of semen changes to become strong or unbearably unpleasant, this is an indication of a defect in the health of the semen, as it may indicate the presence of an infection in any part of the male reproductive system.

4. Change in the consistency of semen

It is normal for semen to have a sticky or jelly-like consistency, but if this consistency changes 

If it becomes heavy, this is an indication of a defect in the health of the semen, as:

Increased semen viscosity indicates severe dehydration, hormonal imbalance, or infection in the reproductive system.

Low semen viscosity, such that it becomes light and water-like, indicates a vitamin deficiency or a sexual problem that requires consulting a doctor.

What is the normal shape of semen?

Normal semen is usually of medium thickness, has a good smell, is white or gray in color, and sometimes has a cloudy appearance. After ejaculation, the consistency of the semen becomes gelatinous and turns into a liquid after half an hour. Natural semen has a chlorine-like smell

Improving semen

Maintaining a balanced diet:

You need to include a range of nutrients in your diet and make sure you get enough protein and low-fat in addition to more whole grains and vegetables necessary for healthy semen. There is a basic group of elements necessary for healthy semen:

Zinc:

Zinc deficiency can reduce testosterone levels, which affects the quality of semen. Studies have shown that zinc helps increase testosterone and increase fertility. It is preferable to get zinc from raw foods because cooking foods may cause them to lose zinc. Here are a group of foods rich in zinc, such as beef, lamb, oysters, shrimp, venison, and you can get zinc from raw foods such as sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and green peas.

Folic acid:

New research indicates that folic acid can enhance the health of semen. If a man has a low level of folic acid, it increases the risk of weak sperm and affects the thickness of the semen. You can get folic acid from lentils, beans, chickpeas, asparagus, spinach, black beans, and cabbage. A daily serving of these foods provides about 50% of the folic acid requirement.

Vitamin B12:

It has been shown that vitamin B12 deficiency leads to low sperm count. Vitamin B12 is found in dairy products, animal products, and when sufficient levels of vitamin B12 are obtained, it improves the digestion process.

Selenium:

Selenium is an essential element for increasing fertility. Studies have found that men who suffer from low sperm count have low levels of selenium.

You can get it from: nuts, cod, tuna, salmon, tuna, shrimp, mushrooms, turkey.

Vitamin E:

Studies have shown that following a diet that does not contain vitamin E led to infertility in mice. This is because vitamin E contains antioxidants that are useful in protecting sperm health.

Sources to obtain it: Sunflower seeds, almonds, olives, spinach, papaya, dark green vegetables

Maintain a healthy weight:

You should make sure that you have a healthy weight appropriate for your height and age. Because being overweight may be the reason behind the thickness of the semen, obesity affects not only the number of sperm but also the movement of sperm.

Relieve stress:

If you suffer from stress in your life, this has an impact on your sex life. Stress affects the balance of the body's hormones and thus affects the consistency of semen.

Maintain body activity:

You need to exercise regularly to maintain body activity and improve various functions. So choose a set of exercises that increase activity and help you produce testosterone.

Hydration:

Maintaining constant hydration of the body is very important and it is preferable to drink plenty of water daily, at least 8 cups, as it also helps you improve your overall health.

Protecting the body from toxins:

You must take the necessary precautions when exposed to toxins such as lead and pesticides because they affect the quality of semen and the number of sperm.

Quit smoking:

Smoking affects the number of sperm and their movement inside the semen, so it should be completely avoided to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Test for sexually transmitted diseases:

You always need to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases to maintain the health of sperm. If you suffer from increased semen thickness with pain, itching, fever and burning, you should go to the doctor to test for sexually transmitted diseases.

Reasons behind thick semen that indicate unhealthiness

Dehydration:

If your semen appears thicker than usual, it may indicate that the body is suffering from dehydration and insufficient hydration. Therefore, you should keep your body hydrated constantly and reduce diuretic drinks such as coffee and soda because they contain caffeine, which facilitates the loss of water from the body. To prevent the appearance of thick semen, and when you maintain drinking 8 glasses of water daily, you will see improvement and the problem will go away on its own.

Infection:

The thickness of semen depends on the level of general health and may differ if you have an infection. If you have thick semen and a change in the color of semen to yellow, this is likely due to unpleasant secretions of the penis or infections in the reproductive system.

Hormonal imbalance:

The thickness of semen may also vary due to hormonal imbalance. If you suffer from low levels of testosterone, you will notice that semen is thick. It may be difficult for you to determine if hormonal imbalance is the reason behind the thickness of semen on your own and you need to visit a doctor for consultation.

Mixing the fluid 

Semen with urine:

If you suffer from urinary retention or urinary tract infection, it may be the reason behind the passage of semen through the urethra and appear thick and yellow in color and have a bad smell.

Aging:

As a man ages, semen becomes thicker and turns yellow, which does not affect fertility and sexual performance.

Diet:

There are a group of foods that lead to the appearance of yellow semen, such as onions and chives. Some medications also cause semen to appear yellow. These medications include multivitamins and rifampicin, a drug used to treat tuberculosis.

Reproductive system infections

As the presence of an infection or inflammation in the reproductive system leads to a change in the shape and color of semen, its color tends to yellow with a bad smell.

Hormonal disorders

Disorders that occur in hormonal balance affect the entire body and thus the reproductive system, as when the level of testosterone in the blood decreases, it is a cause of a decrease in the male hormone, so a doctor should be consulted.

Urinary retention

If a person suffers from urinary retention, urine may mix with semen, and the semen may come out with a bad smell and be yellow in color. A urinary tract infection may be the cause of this.