Light brown/golden color to semen ejaculation & spine surgery
I am 62 and suffer chronic radicular pain in my lumbar and down my legs. I am post-cervical surgery to my cervical spine in January 2021 after enduring 18 months of untreated spinal cord compression from C3, C4, C5, C6 levels, and I endured the compression for 18 months because in the moth I was scheduled for surgery the COVID- 19 restrictions 'kicked-in' and elective surgery was cancelled. Finally, when restrictions were eased/removed I had surgery performed by a neurosurgeon who performed a laminectomy with laminoplasty at those levels. My symptoms when the cord compression onset (no injury or trauma) I woke up in that condition - were numb from neck to toes about 50% of total, loss of motor function, loss of coordination to my upper/lower extremities. I still suffer loss of feeling from neck to toes about 20-30% of total, coordination issues still persist. I am scheduled for surgery to my lumbar this month after Christmas. I also have high blood pressure which is addressed with two prescription medications. I am not sexually active. I may masturbate every 1-2 months only for the purpose of release of tension and to keep that part of my life engaged, however, due to numbness from my neck down the orgasmic sensation is diminished substantially. I do not view pornographic material to assist with erections in order to masturbate to completion. Last night I engaged myself and upon ejaculation saw my semen had a light, golden/brown color throughout my discharge. I notified my Primary Care Provider and have a visit to see him later this week. I post this to share my experience in case someone else has had this occur to them and also to share what happened and to provide medical information here with others mainly FYI reasons to use my experience and what medically may follow as I try to determine if this is normal and if not to use my experiences to inform others and at the same time to seek investigation of this 'condition.'
I will keep you updated as I proceed from this starting point with regards to my discolored semen.
Thank you for allowing me to share and I hope what may follow medically to investigate and if needed to treat this condition to help others who may have experienced what happen to me, and if someone had the same thing occur to them that maybe we can exchange information about this condition locally, and to share here for others globally (if Mayo has international membership) because sharing information like this may help others and that is my goal in the long run.
That's all for now. I will be back after I see my PCP this week. I'm sure labs and other tests will be recommended.
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It's been a long time coming but here's an update:
My PCP ordered labs and PSA showed borderline high.
Saw a urologist who prescribed Tamsulosin 0.4mg at night, Ciprofloxacin 500mg (2 night before biopsy, 2 morning of biopsy, 2 day after biopsy.)
Yes, he ordered a biopsy of my prostate. I was also prescribed enema for morning of biopsy. The doctor believes it's an enlarged prostate but wants to check deeper to be sure. Blood in semen has almost returned to normal color.
The discoloration was blood (in his estimation.) Biopsy schedule for middle of March. That's it for now. I'll be back later.
I forgot...a hand-held ultrasound of my abdomen shows I retain about 40% in my bladder when I urinate.
I keep posting updates and hopefully my condition goes away, and I become normal again. Thanks, all.
Have you ascertained whether your fluid intake has a part in your story? If you don’t hydrate enough your urine turns dark colored possibly not unlike the color of your semen? Try increasing your fluid for a week and then check your semen color for changes.