Question
My semen is watery, is this the treatment to blame?
25 November 2008. Related: All topics.
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.
Hi Anonymous,
As it says on this Q&A, HIV meds are not likely to be causing this. Changes in your diet is the main factor especially if your are drinking more or less liquids.
However, the drugs you are taking means that you’re taking PEP. That’s because there are 3 drugs in your combination. Please see this link to info about to PEP and PrEP.
Its obvious PrEP meds can cause watery sperm cause I’ve never had watery sperm until I started using this Anti retroviral drug (combination of efavirenz, lamivudine, and Tenofovir) now my sperm is watery.
Hi Bismark,
Do you mean Kempton Park in South Africa? This Q&A service provides info for people who are HIV positive. Are you on HIV treatment too? If so, you can contact the Treatment Action Campaign. They can help with local support.
Does any one knows any doctor around Kempton park who can help me?? My sperm something watery and am trying to have a baby for like 2 years I need see a doctor
Hi Han,
It’s good that you’ve started antiretroviral treatment (called ART). But ART nearly always includes at least three active drugs. Tenofovir is one of them and often these three drugs come in a single pill.
Please can you check with your doctor about this? Do you have access to your results for CD4 count and viral load?
For much more info here’s the Introduction to ART.
pls just started my retroviral treatment, and the drug is tenofovir, can it help me go undetectable how powerful is the drug thanks
I have the same experience as the asker. Ever since I started treatment, my semen became watery. I’m taking a combination of Lamivudine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate, and Efavirenz.
Hi Lungiswa,
Unfortunately we are not doctor at i-Base. But we do give information about HIV treatment to people who are HIV positive and their friends and family.
So it’s a good idea for your husband to ask the doctor about his injured testicles and changes in his semen.
My husband got injured on his testicles that leaded him to be stitched.So now his semens is watery will that affect his sex life?
Hi Raymond,
Please see the following link: http://i-base.info/qa/449