Q and A

Question

My semen is watery, is this the treatment to blame?

Since I started HIV treatment, my semen has turned into watery texture like overdiluted milk, instead of the normal heavy texture. Is this normal with HIV treatment? If so, will it turn back to the original heavy texture? More so, does it mean that I do not have any sperm count at the moment. Have been on treatment for 4 years and have been on Atripila all along and has worked for me well.

Answer

The consistency of semen depends on many things and it can change sometimes.

Changes in your diet is the main factor especially if your are drinking ore or less liquids. The more water you drink, the more watery the semen. Caffeine and alcohol can also affect the texture, making the semen viscous and thick. Age can be a factor too.

Generally, there is nothing to worry about. Neither HIV, nor HIV meds are likely to be causing this. Being more watery does not affect your ‘sperm count’. You are perfectly fine, no worries.

42 comments

  1. Raymond

    Since I start taking ARV drugs I notice I don’t enjoy full erection and maintaining the same. Why?

  2. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Ambi,

    Thank you. Yes, watery sperm does not affect your sperm count. Congratulations on becoming a father.

  3. Ambi

    my sperm became watery too since l started the HIV treatment, aside that nothing else changed. My libido is still super and I still last long during intercourse.
    But sincerely the watery sperm got me worried but something happened and I got my confidence back.
    l had unprotected sex and she took in despite the morning after pill…. that was a prove of good quality and fertility of my semen!

  4. Roy Trevelion

    Hi Muonyad,
    The consistency of sperm can change. But this is not likely to be the effect of HIV treatment. Diet can change sperm from heavy to light. However, there is no change in fertility. Generally with this change, there is nothing to worry about.

  5. Muonyad

    It happened to me too my sperm is lighter not heavy like before since I comment on hiv treatment

  6. Simon Collins

    Hi Bonging, HIV meds do not affect fertility. It is normal for consistency of sperm to change in terms of how watery it is. This doesn’t mean the quality is any different.

  7. bongani

    Even my self my sperm is so waterly like I even got worried that I’ll never have kids with this annoying poor spem quality…I even thought of leaving treatment because I realised this soon as I took treatment I don’t even haveca year taking treatment but my sperm has completely changed

  8. nhyira

    thanks very much,I was worried.

  9. Lisa Thorley

    Hi nhyira,

    Please see the above post.

  10. nhyira

    since I took the HIV drugs,my sperm has become lighter

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