*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or view any of our Previous A to Z Features.

You should also know that OutUK has produced a special report about: Coronavirus Covid-19.

This Week - B : Blood In Semen

Blood in semen is not usually caused by something serious, but you should get it checked by a GP just in case.

Check if you have blood in your semen

Blood in your semen can be:

Sometimes there may be small lumps (clots) in the blood.

Depending on the cause, you may also have other symptoms like blood in your pee, pain when peeing or peeing more often than usual.

Most of the time it's not obvious what causes blood in semen and it goes away on its own.

But it's important to get it checked to make sure it's nothing serious.

Common causes of blood in semen include:

Rarely, blood in semen can be a sign of cancer, such as prostate cancer.

A GP can check for common causes and refer you to a specialist for more tests if needed.

Blood in semen does not usually need to be treated. It often goes away by itself in a few days or weeks.

If a cause can be found, this may need to be treated.

For example, a urinary tract infection (UTI) or sexually transmitted infection (STI) may be treated with antibiotics.

We'll have more information and advice next week on another topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.