HEMATOSPERMIA

The appearance of blood in the seminal fluid is an alarming sign, with a rather inconstant origin. The causes of hematospermia are discussed based on a review of the literature and the authors' own experience w ith 84 patients. The importance of differential diagnosis is emphasize d and a diagnostic scheme is presented. Therapeutic opportunities depe nding on etiology are discussed. It is concluded that although hematos permia is an often self-limiting sign, resolving in a few weeks, all p atients should undergo a careful investigation to rule out the presenc e of malignancy or other significant disease.