Brown semen?

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I noticed last week that my semen had brown in it.It was a bit shocking, but I decided to wait and see if it clears up.It's been one week, and it hasn't cleared. There was no unusual pain or anything at first, but now my left testicle aches.It may be unrelated, I've gone to the Dr. for my testicle before, and they just brushed it off as nothing without much of an exam. That was about 6 years ago, and the discoloration just started. The aching seems a bit worse now than usual though.I don't know if I'm just paying more attention to it now, or it really is aching more.Please help me figure this out, I want to avoid another Dr. visit if possible, as I am broke, have no job, and no insurance.If a Dr. visit is required, I'd at least hope to know a bit more about the possibilities before making an appointment.Thank you in advance.

Brown semen as you describe is probably an indicator of blood.If you have persistent blood in your semen coupled with an ache, and you say it's been over a week, then it is a sign that you have a problem. It can be an infection or something else. I wouldn't put this off. You should be able to find some community clinic where you can have this examined.

So, would it be better to go to a general doctor, or a Urologist?Last time the clinic referred me to the Urologist which is much closer to my home.Man, I'm dreading making an appointment, do they usually ask why you need to see a doctor over the phone? What do I say if they do?I have stupid powerful social anxiety, and I can't even remember the last time I used a phone to call anyone besides my mom. My heart is racing just thinking of talking to a stranger.

At my doctor's they don't ask you what it is about over the phone - at most they might ask if it is urgent or not, and whether it will be a normal or a long appointment. The person you talk to on the phone isn't the doctor but a receptionist who doesn't normally have any medical training, so discussing your reason for seeing the doctor wouldn't have much point.

I agree with sdp that seeing a doctor or urologist is important. Blood where it shouldn't be is always something to take seriously.

Definately see a urologist, if you have an option.

Great... now the ache is mostly gone, and everything seems normal again. There was no brown this time.Should I wait a couple of days and see if it returns?Or should I go ahead a go through with a Dr. visit anyway?

Pain combined with blood usually indicates an infection. I would go ahead with the visit to the doctor.

Thanks guys.I had my appointment yesterday... extremely awkward and I absolutely hated it. They didn't say much. Said it's very common, which I'm not sure is true, maybe just trying to make me feel better. Said there was some swelling, and gave a prescription for antibiotics.Although, I'm a bit confused. I told the nurse about the brown semen, and she reported that to the doctor, then asked for a Urine sample.When the doctor came to see me, they kept explaining about things that could discolor Urine and make it brown. they never actually mentioned semen at all. Not sure if there was a miscommunication, or if they were being polite and referring to it as Urine to ease the tension.Anyway, i'm taking medicine now, so we'll see how it goes. Thanks again.

Thanks for the followup.