When a man’s semen changes to yellow, it’s usually temporary and may go away on its own. However, it’s still important to see a doctor because the treatment will depend on the cause of the problem.
Drinking alcohol, smoking, and certain medications can turn sperm yellow. Also, eating sulfur-rich foods like garlic and onions can cause the change.
1. Detox
Glands in the male reproductive system produce semen, a thick, jelly-like liquid that protects sperm as it fertilizes a woman’s egg for conception. Typically, semen is white or cream in color with a jelly-like texture, but sometimes it takes on a yellow tint for various reasons. The change in color is usually temporary and isn’t cause for concern, but if it happens frequently or has other symptoms, see a doctor.
A yellow tint can occur when a man needs to urinate and the urine gets combined with the semen as it passes out of the penis. Similarly, if it’s been a long time since a man last ejaculated, the older, unused sperm can start to take on a yellow appearance. Other causes include drinking alcohol or smoking, which both give semen a yellow hue. A yellow hue can also occur when a person has jaundice, a condition in which the liver cannot properly move bilirubin, a waste product from breaking down red blood cells, out of the body.
Yellow sperm may also be a sign of an infection or disease, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), prostate problems, chlamydia, herpes and gonorrhea. These conditions can all cause leukocytospermia, which results in yellow-colored semen. Treatment for leukocytospermia will vary depending on the underlying issue, but may include antibiotics or surgery.
2. Change Your Diet
There are a few things that could cause your semen to appear yellow in colour. Excess production of white blood cells in the sperm is one common cause and this is called leukocytospermia. If this is not treated it may lead to infertility. A sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia, herpes or gonorrhoea can also make the semen yellow in colour.
Hepatitis, a disease that affects the liver, can also turn the semen yellow. This is because the liver cannot eliminate excess bilirubin from the body, which causes jaundice.
Age can also cause the semen to change in colour. It is natural for the sperm to take on a light yellow tint as we get older, but this should not be too much of a concern. Certain vitamins or medicines, such as the antibiotic Rifampicin used to treat tuberculosis and Vitamin B supplements, can also turn urine and semen yellow in some people.
A diet that contains lots of dyes or food containing a lot of sulfur, like garlic, onions and chives, can also turn the semen yellow in some people. However, this is usually temporary and should go away on its own. If you are unsure what the cause of your yellow semen is, consult a doctor. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause and may include anti-fungal medication, antivirals or antibacterials.
3. See Your Doctor
Normally, healthy semen is whitish-gray in color and jelly-like in texture. It can vary slightly based on diet and genes, but changes in texture or color are usually not cause for concern. If you are concerned, make an appointment with your doctor to ensure it’s not something serious.
Yellow sperm can sometimes be caused by urine that has been left behind in the urethra. This can happen if you peed and then ejaculated or if you have bladder neck dysfunction. It can also occur if you take certain medications or foods that contain sulfur or yellow dyes. The good news is that this is typically a temporary issue and will return to normal once the food or medication leaves your body.
Changes in semen color can also be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. These STDs can lead to leukocytospermia, which causes the sperm to become yellow in color. In these cases, the doctor may recommend antibiotics to treat the infection and prevent it from spreading to others.
Ultimately, the treatment for yellow sperm will depend on what’s causing it. It may be possible to get rid of the problem at home, such as cutting back on high-sulfur foods and using condoms during intercourse. However, if you have an underlying health condition that’s causing it (such as prostatitis, prostate infection, or jaundice), the doctor will likely prescribe medicine to address it.
4. Exercise
If a man is producing yellow semen, it can be a sign that something is wrong. A man should consult with a doctor to see what is causing this change in the healthy whitish-gray semen fluid. The doctor will perform tests to find the cause of the problem and prescribe the right treatment.
Semen is a combination of secretions from the male reproductive organs, which include the testicles, epididymis, and seminal vesicles. Any changes or infections in these glands can turn the semen yellow. Semen can also become yellow if the liver is not functioning normally. This is because the liver breaks down red blood cells and creates a substance called bilirubin that can cause yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucus membranes.
Other things that can make semen yellow include eating sulfur-rich foods like garlic, onions, and chives; drinking alcohol or smoking; and taking certain medications. If the semen is yellow and accompanied by a bad smell, pain or other symptoms of an infection, it’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible.
Some sexually transmitted diseases can also turn the semen yellow, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia. Typically, these STDs will also have a foul smell and painful or itchy sensations while ejaculating. If the yellow semen is accompanied by a fever or chills, it may be due to tuberculosis or other infectious diseases.
