Your sperm is considered healthy if it is white in color. There is no need to worry if it is slightly yellow. However, it is important to talk to your doctor if your sperm is bright yellow or greenish in color because this usually indicates a serious infection, especially when you are experiencing other symptoms as well. While there will be a slight change in semen color from day to day, you should never ignore a sudden change, especially when it is accompanied by a foul odor or other symptoms.
Why Is My Sperm Yellow?
When someone refers to the color of sperm, it means they are referring to the color of semen. The color of your semen should be white or somewhat grayish, mainly due to the presence of proteins in the secretions. Why is my sperm yellow? Here are some of the most common reasons why you may be experiencing the issue.
1. Infections
The most common cause of a change in color of your semen is an infection. If you also notice foul smell with yellow semen, the chances are you have an infection. You may need to take antibiotics to clear the infection. Your doctor will first check your semen to identify the best antibiotic treatment.
2. Semen Mixed with Urine
Sometimes, you notice yellow colored semen mainly because it contains some urine that may be retained inside the urethra. Semen passes through the bulbar urethra to come out of your penis, but it mixes with some urine on its way out. This gives it a yellowish appearance with a foul smell. This retention of urine may be due to a urinary tract infection, especially if you experience a burning sensation when passing urine.
3. Old Age
Your semen is more likely to become yellow when you grow old. It does not affect your fertility or sexual performance. Moreover, you may not notice yellow color in every ejaculation.
4. Diet
What you eat will have an impact on the color of your semen. Instead of asking why is my sperm yellow? You should pay attention to what you eat. If your diet includes food rich in sulfur, your semen may turn yellow. Some of these foods include garlic, onion and chives. Taking certain medicines may also cause your semen to turn yellow. Some of the most common culprits are multi-vitamins and drugs used to treat tuberculosis. Try stopping your multivitamins for a few days to see if things change.
5. Ejaculating After Extended Time
If you have not ejaculated for some time, your first ejaculation is likely to be a bit yellow in color. This happens because the semen stays in the seminal vesicles for long and becomes thick. This old semen may look a bit lumpy and have a slightly different color with yellow tinge.
6. Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Some sexually transmitted diseases can also lead to a change in the color of your semen. The most common STDs include gonorrhea or chlamydia. If the change in color is due to these STDs, you will also experience a foul smell as well as some burning sensation while ejaculating.
What to Do If I Have Yellow Sperm?
Now that you know the answer to the question why is my sperm yellow? You should concentrate on what you can do to bring things back to normal.
1. Drink Plenty of Fluids
The color of your semen may change due to dehydration. Be sure to drink at least 3 liters per day and include fruit juices in your diet to keep your body well hydrated.
2. Take Some Testosterone Boosters
Fluctuating levels of testosterone may also change the color of your semen. Testosterone levels come down with age, which will have an impact on the quality of your sperm. With a testosterone booster, you will have healthy white semen with improved libido and better muscle tone.
3. Avoid Alcohol and Tobacco
Quit smoking and avoid alcohol as much as possible to change your sperm quality. Drinking too much alcohol will fill your body with toxins, some of which will show up in your semen and change its color to yellow.
When to See a Doctor
Yellow semen is not always a condition to concern because the issue goes away when you make changes to your diet, medication and lifestyle. If problem persists and there are other symptoms as well, you should then go talk to your doctor to ensure you do not have an infection. Seek immediate medical attention when you notice reddish colored semen because it indicates blood. See your doctor if you also have other symptoms such as sexual dysfunction, fever, pain or blood in urine.
How to Improve the Quality of Sperm
Why is my sperm yellow? That is mainly because you are not paying attention to certain things that have affected your sexual health to some extent. Here are some ways to improve the quality of sperm.
- Eat red food: Red food that contains lycopene helps improve the quality, volume, and mobility of your sperm. Red vegetables and fruit like strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, and cherries may increase your sperm count by up to 70%.
- Lay off your laptop: Studies have found a possible link between laptop use and a reduction in sperm quality. The change in color and quality of semen is more evident when a laptop is always connected to Wi-Fi.
- Get off your bike: Cycling may have certain health benefits, but it can affect the quality and shape of your sperm. Research shows that people who cycle 300km a week may lead to infertility.
- Keep yourself cool: Your sperm stays healthy when the temperature is around 34.5 Celsius degree. Some studies have found that you may increase your sperm count simply by avoiding hot baths.
- Avoid excessive coffee: Drinking coffee may help improve the mobility of your sperm, but too much of it will lead to genetic mutations in sperm. This makes it difficult for your sperm to fertilize an egg.