Semen leakage from penis is a normal occurrence that you may experience after a sexual activity. Semen is also known as ejaculate, and is a whitish fluid that is ejaculated from the penis. This semen is made up of seminal fluid (fluid produced by seminal vesicles and the prostate). Only a small amount of semen is formed up by sperm.
Even though ejaculation of semen is normal and common thing to happen during a sexual activity, there might be times when this semen leakage might occur other than when you are involved in such a situation.
You may be someone who experiences semen leakage while sleeping, or while urination, both of which definitely are going to be the cause of great discomfort.
what you will read next :
causes of semen leakage and their treatment
SEXUAL AROUSAL
Semen leakage during any form of sexual arousal doesn’t specify any disease related to sexual health, and is considered normal. It is also considered normal for semen to leak before the ejaculation, or right after the ejaculation.
Fluid that leaks before or prior to actual ejaculate is known as pre-ejaculatory fluid, or pre-cum. It is not chemically similar to semen and helps during intercourse by acting as a source of lubrication. This pre-ejaculatory fluid might contain some amount of sperm, and it is better to use protection prior to any sexual activity.
Treatment
Leakage of semen or pre-ejaculate due to sexual arousal usually does not require treatment.
On the other hand, if you have premature ejaculation, it’s another problem. Premature ejaculation means that you ejaculate when you and your partner do not want it. Most often it’s because of a psychological reason, but this can be caused by an underlying medical condition.
Treatment of premature ejaculation or early ejaculation includes:
Lifestyle changes: your doctor may suggest that you start masturbating one or two hours before sexual intercourse.
Physical therapy and exercise: by receiving pelvic therapy and practicing Kegel exercises, you can control your ability to ejaculate. This helps in delaying the ejaculation.
Specific drug: you can use a topical desensitizing cream that reduces irritation and delays orgasm. Your doctor may recommend you to have a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). This is especially effective in combination with behavioral therapy and physiotherapy.
NOCTURNAL EJACULATION
Nocturnal ejaculation, which means as ejaculating during night time when you are asleep, is most common in adolescence and you may experience it when you are in your twenties. Most men have nocturnal ejaculation at some point in their lives.
It is an involuntary ejaculation that occurs during sleep. This can occur when the genitals are stimulated by a dream which is sexual in nature, or even by getting in contact with bed-sheets. Nocturnal ejaculation can cause semen leakage rather than complete ejaculation.
In any case, nocturnal emission is very common when a boy reaches puberty.
Treatment
Most men and boys do not need any treatment for nocturnal ejaculation. It is usually seen in the twenties. However, it can be more common when you have less sexual intercourse or when you masturbate less often.
Increased sexual activity can lead to decreased nocturnal ejaculation.
AFTER URINATION
Leakage after urination can occur if semen remains in the urethra after ejaculation. This mixes with the urine and can make the urine look cloudy or turbid.
But semen leakage might indicate other things as well, this discharge may indicate the presence of a sexually transmitted disease (STI). It may also indicate urinary incontinence.
Treatment
Treatment may not be necessary if semen rarely leaks after urination. However, if this is a persistent problem, please let your doctor know.
If the condition is due to retrograde ejaculation, treatment may not be needed unless you are trying to have a child. All treatment options also depend on the cause of retrograde ejaculation.
PROSTATE ISSUES
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, a small gland between the bladder and the penis. The prostate gland produces sperm.
Prostatitis is the most common urinary tract disease in men under the age of 50 and the third most common in people over the age of 50. It can cause the following symptoms:
- Excretion from the penis that looks like semen leakage.
- Pollakiuria (urination during day-time that is abnormal and frequent).
- Influenza-like symptoms.
If prostatitis persists for at least 3 months or recurs frequently, it is known as chronic prostatitis. It can lead to erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, and other sexual problems.
Symptoms of prostate cancer:
- Pelvic pain.
- Changes in ejaculation.
- Blood in semen.
- These prostate problems can also lead to other symptoms, including semen leakage.
Treatment
You should get yourself medically checked if you experience any of the below-mentioned symptoms:
- Burning sensation when urinating.
- Bloody urine and semen.
- Changes in ejaculation.
- Painful ejaculation.
Treatment with antibiotics may be required to treat prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection.
Prostate cancer is a much more complex condition to treat. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly, so treatment is not recommended at first. One approach known as “active monitoring” is regular tests and tests to see if the cancer has progressed.
Doctors may also recommend surgery to remove the prostate and other treatment options. Treatments have different efficacy and side effects depending on the stage of the cancer.
SIDE EFFECT OF MEDICINE
Drugs such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and some hormone therapies can also cause semen leakage. A group of antidepressants, SSRI, may be associated with semen leakage and other sexual side effects. These other effects are:
- Decreased libido (decreased sexual drive of a person). Delayed ejaculation.
- Erectile dysfunction.
These side effects depend on the type of SSRI, dosage, and combination with other drugs. If you are taking any of these medications, you should weigh the pros and cons of taking these medications and their side effects.
Treatment
In the treatment of depression, current recommendations consider both psychotherapy and medication as effective options.
If these sexual side effects outweigh the benefits of current antidepressants, consult your doctor. In some cases, side effects can be corrected by simply adjusting the dose of the drug or switching to another class of drug.
Do not stop taking SSRIs or other antidepressants without first consulting your doctor. If you have questions about the short-term and long-term effects of a particular drug, talk to your doctor about your concerns and learn about your options. You can also discuss alternative treatments that are right for you.
INJURY TO NERVES
The nervous system is a complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages between the brain and other parts of the body. It controls all body functions, including ejaculation.
Nervous system damage can lead to semen leakage and other ejaculatory changes.
Injuries and serious medical conditions that can damage the nervous system include:
- Head or spinal cord injury.
- Tumor in brain.
- Poison exposure (heavy metals or carbon monoxide).
- Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or other degenerative problems.
- Brain or spinal cord infections.
- Misuse of alcohol or drugs.
- Guillain-Barre syndrome.
- Vitamin B12 or other nutrition related deficiencies.
Treatment
Treating the root cause is the best chance of recovery. Nerve damage from inflammation and infection may improve over time. Nerve damage associated with surgery, cancer treatment, or nervous system disorders can be much more difficult to treat.
Your health team can work with you to develop the perfect overall treatment plan for you.
Prevention
To reduce or prevent sperm leakage, people can try the following:
- Masturbate before bedtime to prevent nocturnal semen leakage.
- Reduce your risk of prostate cancer by following a healthy diet.
- Being overweight increases your risk of cancer and can strain your bladder, so exercise regularly to manage your weight.
- Discuss the side effects of the new drug with your doctor and weigh them against the potential benefits of treatment.
- See your doctor for regular tests or if you have problems with urination or sexual function.
When to see a doctor
Occasional sperm leakage is usually not a concern. However, if leakage occurs frequently, or if the amount of leakage is causing anxiety or discomfort, consult your doctor.
This is especially true if you have other symptoms such as:
- Blood in semen.
- Bad odor of urine.
- Changes in ejaculation.
- Pain when urinating or ejaculating.
- Secretions that do not look like healthy or normal semen.
All of these can be signs of an underlying medical condition.
Takeaway
Sperm leakage can be normal, but it can also be annoying and unpleasant. If you are a young man, then you have a great possibility of heaving this semen leakage be controlled without any medical interventions. But if you are over 40, talk to your doctor about recommended tests for prostate health.
If you notice changes in the amount or frequency of semen leakage, or other changes in ejaculation, be aware of this and consult your doctor.