A prospective study on aetiology and outcome of haemospermia from a urology unit in Sri Lanka

Introduction: Haemospermia is an alarming symptom for ordinary members of the public. The worry become greater as it has been described as a warning sign of a prostate cancer in the media. Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify the aetiological factors and outcome of haemospermia in a cohort of patients. Methods: All patients with newly diagnosed haemospermia treated at the urology unit of Colombo South Teaching Hospital over a period of 5 years (2013-2018) constituted the study sample. Data related to demographics, symptomatology, clinical findings, investigations, treatment given and outcome during follow-up were recorded prospectively. Results: There were 94 men with haemospermia who sought treatment during the study period. Mean age was 43.7 years (range: 23-67, median = 41). Twenty-seven (29%) patients had clinical evidence of prostatitis and/or a positive seminal fluid culture. One patient each had prostate carcinoma, prostatic cyst, severe hypertension, sclerotherapy for haemorrhoids, post-chemotherapy and post-epididymectomy. The patient who had high blood pressure (220/150 mmHg) was found to have mesangio-proliferative glomerulonephritis. In 61 (65%) patients, there was no identifiable cause. Conclusion: The majority of patients with haemospermia are aged < 45 years and have a benign aetiology. As haemospermia is self-limiting in the majority of cases, extensive investigations are unnecessary. Advanced and invasive tests should be confined to those with abnormal clinical findings, and to those with persistent or recurrent haemospermia.