If you have watery semen, it usually indicates that your sperm count is low. This condition is known as oligospermia and it can affect your fertility. Treatment for this condition involves lifestyle changes and medication.
The color and texture of your semen may be affected by your diet and medications. These include antidepressants, blood pressure medications and vitamin supplements.
Causes
When a man experiences ejaculation, fluid is released through the penis into the urethra. This is called semen and it contains sperms and other fluids from the prostate gland and seminal vesicles. Normally, semen is thick and whitish in colour. However, when semen is clear or milky white it may indicate a low sperm count. This is often temporary and does not cause any serious health issues.
Other reasons for clear semen could be a varicocele, infection in the testicles or other reproductive organs, or hormone imbalances. These causes are also treatable and can be prevented.
Varicocele is a swollen vein in the scrotum which prevents the smooth flow of blood and hence the sperm. This condition is usually treatable with medication or surgery. Infection in the testicles or other reproductive organs like gonorrhoea or epididymitis can also lead to watery semen. Tumours in the scrotum or other parts of the body can also interfere with sperm production. Hormone imbalances caused by medication or illness can also cause semen to be clear.
A doctor can assess the issue and recommend some treatment depending on the underlying cause of the problem. They will ask about your medical history, lifestyle habits and symptoms. A physical examination will be conducted and a sample of the semen may be taken for analysis. This includes determining its consistency, volume, acidity, sperm count, motility and morphology (shape and size). The physician will prescribe some medication, hormone therapy or vitamin/mineral supplements to help treat the problem. They may also advise dietary changes such as avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, exercising regularly and eating more foods rich in zinc.
Symptoms
The fluid that leaks out of a man’s penis when he ejaculates is typically white or grey-ish, but it can sometimes be clear. The fluid also can become discolored, such as pink, red or yellow, and the color can indicate a problem. For example, the semen that is yellow could be caused by an increased number of white blood cells – a condition called leukocytospermia – or it could be a sign of urine in the semen (climacturia).
Men who have blood-stained or brownish-red semen should see their doctor immediately, especially if the symptoms persist. The doctor can perform a physical exam and order tests to find out the cause of the change in semen consistency and color.
Semen that is viscous is normal and indicates a high number of sperms in the semen. The viscous fluid helps the sperms stay in contact with the egg for longer, which increases the chances of fertilization. However, if the sperm count is low, the semen is likely to be clear in color and less viscous. The doctor can treat the underlying cause of the issue, such as antibiotics for an infection or hormone therapy for hormonal imbalances. In addition, he can treat varicocele, which is a swelling of the veins in the testicles, by either surgery or percutaneous embolization.
Treatment
When a man experiences a change in the color of his semen, it is generally considered to be a problem that requires immediate medical attention. The condition could be caused by a number of factors including masturbation, lack of dietary intake and a hormone imbalance.
In most cases, the discolored semen does not cause infertility and can be treated. The doctor will perform a physical examination to determine the cause and suggest appropriate treatment. In some cases, the semen will be subjected to tests for consistency, volume, sperm motility and acidity. The sperm count and morphology will also be determined.
The most common reason for clear cum is a low sperm count which is referred to as oligospermia. This can be corrected with the help of medication and good dietary habits. Other reasons for the condition include an enlarged prostate or swollen seminal vesicles. This can be treated with medications or surgery. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a test called percutaneous embolization in which a surgeon inserts a coil or balloon into swollen veins in the scrotum to release the sperm.
Zinc is an important nutrient for sperm production and the doctor might prescribe zinc supplements to the patient. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables as well as foods containing omega 3 fatty acids can also improve the health of the sperm.
Prevention
Glands in the male reproductive system make semen, a thick jelly-like liquid that protects sperm as it fertilizes an egg for conception. Normally, semen is white or light gray. But sometimes the fluid takes on a yellow hue. This usually isn’t cause for concern. But if the color changes suddenly, you should see your doctor.
A common cause of watery semen is a low sperm count, or oligospermia. This condition occurs when less than 15 million sperms are found in one milliliter of semen. This can interfere with fertility. It also can lead to other health problems such as an infection or varicocele, or it can cause retrograde ejaculation. Other causes include a high level of anti-sperm antibodies, an injury or surgery to the scrotum and certain medications.
You can improve your sperm count and avoid watery semen by following a healthy diet that includes a variety of foods. Fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains are good choices. You should also reduce the amount of alcohol you drink and avoid smoking. Regular sex and exercise also can help. A recent study showed that eating walnuts daily improved sperm quality in men. This may be because the nuts contain zinc, which helps sperms. The research was small and only included 117 men, so more studies are needed to confirm the results.
See Also:
