When to see a doctor

If you're under age 40 and see blood in your semen, chances are it will resolve without treatment. However, it's a good idea to make an appointment with your doctor for a physical exam and simple tests to rule out a cause, such as a sexually transmitted infection.

If you have certain risk factors and symptoms, further testing may be necessary to rule out a more serious underlying disorder. Call your doctor about blood in semen if you:

• Are 40 or older
• Have blood in semen that persists longer than three to four weeks
• Have repeatedly recurring blood in semen
• Have other symptoms, such as painful urination
• Have other risk factors — such as a history of cancer, bleeding disorders, or genital or urinary system malformation — or have recently engaged in behaviors that put you at risk of sexually transmitted infections