Patient's question:
I have been married to my wife for many years, and we have not used any contraception, but we have never been able to get pregnant. After checking at the hospital, I found out that I have a problem with my semen not liquefying. Is the treatment for this painful?Doctor's answer:
Under normal circumstances, sperm liquefies within 30 minutes after ejaculation. Below 30 minutes, it has a longer liquefaction time; below 60 minutes, it may not liquefy at all. A longer liquefaction time can reduce the chances of conception, while non-liquefaction may lead to infertility. The coagulation of semen is caused by coagulation proteins produced by the seminal vesicles. On the other hand, liquefaction is the result of a series of proteolytic enzymes excreted by the prostate, known as liquefaction factors. Therefore, if the prostate and seminal vesicles become inflamed again, disrupting their excretory functions, it can either enhance the coagulation factors or increase the liquefaction factors, leading to a shorter liquefaction time of semen.