Sticky semen?

[RaingodswithZippos]

Name changed for this post...

My DH is in his late 50s and a smoker. He has low motility sperm (we had tests and both of us have fertility problems) although we have 3 boys between us, one of which is our child and the other two his older sons from his first marriage.

I have noticed that after DTD his semen is a bit sticky - it's like the consistency of PVA glue, lumpy and stretchy as it dries rather than powdery IYSWIM. The wet patch is like a jelly.

He won't go to the doctors about it and pretty much ignores it. I once told him I wouldn't have sex with him until he went to the GP but that just coincided with him having problems with his erection (also he had mild depression at that time and was on medication) and I didn't have the heart to enforce the sex ban, as I love him dearly. I'm just worried that it could be an indicator of a more serious issue, but if he wouldn't see the GP about his ED, there's no way he will see him about his semen. The only reason he had the fertility tests was because I had so many miscarriages and he wanted to understand why it was happening.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar?

I thought that was normal as it's drying? At least I hope it is, as DP's is the same!

Same here Gin

Ooh OK I haven't ever slept with anyone but him, so thought it was unusual. That might explain why he doesn't think it's a problem!

When you go for semen tests they do test for liquefaction/viscosity which is the time it takes for the semen to go more liquidy. If semen doesn't go liquidy within a certain timeframe that is deemed abnormal.

However, it may prevent conception entirely but wouldn't cause a miscarriage. Get your DH to make good lifestyle changes (no booze, smoking, no hot baths and lots of fruit and veg) and go to the GP if still concerned.

As far as I know, the "stickiness" is related to how much fructose is in the sperm, and some stickiness is good. It's quite person how sticky/jellyfish/fluid someone's sperm is, but as long it stays the same consistency as it's been for that person, there's no cause for concern.

Thanks! We are no longer ttc as I've been advised against it after an op I had. It was more a worry for his health than anything else. Interesting about the fructose, he does eat a lot of fruit so that may be a factor.