Healthy semen is usually whitish-gray and thick. But sometimes it can have a yellow color, or look gelatin-like. Most of the time, this is nothing to worry about.
But if it is accompanied by other symptoms, it could indicate a health problem. Here are some causes of yellow sperm: Infections: Jaundice (a condition that turns the skin and eyes yellow): Poor diet: Medications.
Infections
While the health of your semen is largely determined by diet and genetics, there are some situations where yellow sperm can be a sign of an infection. A healthy semen should be whitish-gray in color with a jelly-like texture. If your sperm is yellow, it could be due to a variety of factors, including age and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The color of your sperm can change from whitish-gray to bright yellow due to some foods or medicines, such as turmeric, garlic, and onions. It can also be due to long gaps between ejaculations, which allows urine to mix with the semen.
Generally, it is not something to worry about if your sperm turns yellow due to a food or medicine, unless the yellow color is extremely intense and you have other symptoms, such as foul odors or pain in the penile area or around the abdomen or back. It is always best to talk to a doctor about any changes in the color of your sperm, especially if they are accompanied by other signs of infection, such as a fever or pain in the lower abdomen or back.
STD infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause your semen to turn yellow, as well as other symptoms, such as painful sex or pus-like discharge from the penis. If you suspect you may have an STD, discontinue all sexual activity and visit a Rapid STD Testing center to get a fast and accurate diagnosis.
Sulfur in your diet
While healthy semen has a whitish-grey gel-like appearance, it can sometimes take on a yellow tint. This change is usually caused by food, medications, and supplements, or a side effect of an infection or illness. The color of your semen can also indicate whether you are experiencing a disease such as a prostate or vaginal infection, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or herpes.
Certain foods like asparagus, onions, and garlic may cause your semen to turn yellow. Other causes include smoking, alcohol use, and some prescription drugs such as antibiotics and some vitamins. When these substances are eliminated from your body, the semen color will return to normal.
When a man doesn’t ejaculate, his unused sperm gets stored in seminal vesicles and turns yellow over time. This is similar to how urine is stored in the urethra. Sexual arousal blocks the urethra so that sperm can pass through before it is discharged, but if you don’t ejaculate for long periods of time, you could experience yellow semen when you do finally ejaculate.
A yellow tint to your semen can also indicate the presence of pus, a sign of an STD. This condition is called leukocytospermia and can be a symptom of chlamydia, herpes or gonorrhea. This condition can also cause painful ejaculation and penile itching. If you notice a yellow tinge to your semen, talk to your doctor.
Medications
Most sperm is grayish or white, but sometimes it can turn yellow. This may be caused by certain supplements, medications or foods, Registered Nurse Rachel Nall reports for Medical News Today. It can also be a sign of a health condition, such as hepatitis or high white blood cell counts (leukocytospermia).
It is normal to have yellow semen once in a while. The condition is usually temporary and will return to its normal color once the medication or food has left your body.
If your semen turns yellow for more than a few days, make an appointment with your doctor. You should especially go to the doctor if you have other symptoms, such as pain in your abdomen, back or genital area or a fever. This may indicate that you have an STD like gonorrhea or chlamydia, which can cause yellow semen.
Most conditions that lead to yellow semen are treatable. You can reduce your risk of getting the condition by eating a balanced diet, avoiding foods that are high in sulfur, using condoms during sex and drinking enough water. If the condition is caused by a medical problem, your doctor will prescribe medications to treat the underlying cause. These treatments may include antibiotics, antiviral medicines and sperm-boosting vitamins. Your doctor may also recommend a prostate exam if you have a history of recurring yellow semen.
Age
As we get older, our semen naturally takes on a yellow color. Generally, this is nothing to worry about. However, if your semen has a yellow tint that is not faint, then it may indicate infection or a problem with your prostate. If this is the case, it’s important to consult with your doctor as soon as possible to get an accurate diagnosis and find the best treatment option for you.
Your diet and lifestyle can also affect the color of your semen. Foods that contain sulfur like garlic, onions, and turmeric can turn your sperm yellow. Consuming large amounts of alcohol can also have a negative effect on the quality of your semen. Cigarette smoke can also harm different seminal fluid parameters such as sperm morphology, leukocyte count and motility.
Certain medications and supplements can also cause yellow sperm, including multi-vitamins and antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis. If your sperm is yellow, consider stopping these products to see if the discoloration will go away on its own. Depending on what causes your yellow semen, there are several different treatments available for you. These can include drinking more water, eating foods high in lycopene (like tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries), using condoms during sexual activity, cutting back on sulfur-rich foods, and avoiding tobacco. If your yellow semen is related to an STI or STD, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics and antiviral medication to treat the infection.
