Orange semen can be caused by bilirubin, blood, urine, or other factors, such as the individual's diet and age. Semen, or ejaculate, is typically cloudy white, gray, or yellow in color, but temporary discoloration or changes in consistency are often harmless. A consistent change in color, odor, or consistency that persists for at least three weeks should be reported to a medical professional. Orange semen can be an indication of hematospermia, damage to the individual's bladder neck, or a liver or gallbladder problem.
Human semen is an organic fluid that generally contains sperm, enzymes, and fructose. The seminal vesicle produces semen which is secreted by the gonads. Semen is normally cloudy or translucent with a white, gray, or slightly yellow tint. The consistency and color of semen are affected by a man's age, diet, and frequency of ejaculation. For example, fruit, celery, and cinnamon are sources of bland-tasting ejaculate, while coffee and red meat can make ejaculate taste bitter.
A change in the color or consistency of a man's semen is usually harmless and temporary. If such a change persists for at least three weeks, it could be an indication of an underlying health problem. Green semen is often an indicator of a prostate infection or prostatitis. Thick or lumpy semen can be a sign of hormone deficiency.
Red, brown, or orange semen can be a symptom of a number of different conditions. The color may be the result of blood in the ejaculate from hematospermia. Red or pink semen indicates the presence of fresh blood, while venous or old blood will make a color closer to brown. In some cases, the amount of blood is small, giving the semen an orange hue.
Hematospermia can be caused by prostate cancer or adenocarcinoma, as well as infections. Bladder cancer, a cystoscopy, or a prostate biopsy are other possible causes. Some men with ultricular cysts or malignant hypertension may also develop hematospermia. In most cases, the blood in semen comes from the seminal vesicles or the prostate gland.
A rarer cause of orange semen is the presence of bilirubin in the ejaculate. Bilirubin is a product of the normal breakdown of old blood cells. A person with liver or gallbladder problems may develop a buildup of bilirubin. This buildup normally presents as jaundice or yellowish skin discoloration, but a patient with profound jaundice may have bilirubin in semen as well as in sweat and urine. Bilirubin produces bright orange semen.
The presence of urine in semen can impart a yellow or golden tint to ejaculate and is usually obvious due to the accompanying odor. This is often the result of improper closure of the bladder neck at ejaculation. Damage to the bladder neck as a result of surgery or a urethrotomy can cause this problem. Another possible cause is retrograde ejaculation, a condition in which the bladder neck does not close with ejaculation. The seminal fluid ends up in the bladder and the semen is contaminated with urine because the bladder neck remained open.
Some patients may be reluctant to discuss semen discoloration with their doctors. However, constant and persistent change in color, odor, or consistency should be investigated. If left untreated, many of the possible underlying conditions causing orange semen can become serious.