Men can undergo a fair share of sexual problems during their lifetime, and we only do not realize their woes because they usually are not open about it. One of the issues they can face is retrograde ejaculation. It is an uncommon dysfunction, and you might not have heard much about it. Here we are to tell you everything about the condition.
Retrograde Ejaculation – All you need to know
Now is the time when we should raise awareness about male sexual problems. These are often looked over, and no one really bothers educating the masses about them. The truth is that almost every adult goes through one or other type of sexual dysfunction during his life. Knowing about the basics and what you can do to avoid or treat the condition can help you take control at the right time. Sexual satisfaction is your primary need and updating yourself should not be so hard either.
Retrograde ejaculation is also known as dry orgasm as in this condition, the man orgasms with little or no semen. It is an unusual situation where men do not ejaculate with semen and it makes them wonder if there is something wrong with their reproductive system.
How Does it Happen?
Usually, when the man is having sexual intercourse, the semen goes back to the bladder instead of coming out via the penis. During an orgasm, a tube named the vas deferens carries the sperm to the prostate gland. Here the sperm mixes with the liquid components and makes semen which is further transported to the urethra. The muscle at the bladder tightens and does not let the semen get back to the bladder while ejaculation happens. However, in the case of retrograde ejaculation, the urinary muscle does not tighten properly and causes the semen to shoot back into the bladder.
What are the symptoms of retrograde ejaculation?
Retrograde ejaculation symptoms include:
- A dry orgasm is where you notice no liquid when you climax while the orgasm feels normal.
- Cloudy urine after you had sex.
- You fail to get your partner pregnant.
Cloudy urine after sexual intercourse depicts semen in the urine that went to the bladder instead of coming out during an orgasm. Male infertility in this case is not due to sperm quality but the inability of sperm to get to the female genitalia.
What are the causes of retrograde ejaculation?
Retrograde ejaculation causes can be multiple, and it is crucial to understand the reason to help resolve the issue.
The main causes are:
- It could be an after-effect of bladder or lymph node surgery. It can also happen after testicular or prostate surgery.
- It could be a side effect of certain medications you are taking. The most common ones to have retrograde ejaculation as a side effect are the medicines used to treat high blood pressure, prostate enlargement, and mental illnesses like depression.
- It could also happen after you have had a spinal cord injury that would weaken the muscles needed to stop semen from coming back to the bladder.
- It could happen due to nerve damage caused by diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease.
- Radiation therapy in the pelvic area could also cause retrograde ejaculation.
You are at a higher risk of getting retrograde ejaculation if :
- You suffer from diabetes or neurological conditions.
- You have had bladder or prostate surgery.
- You have a spinal cord injury.
How is retrograde ejaculation diagnosed?
If for some reason you observe there is no semen when you ejaculate, you can consider talking to a doctor. Your doctor will do a thorough physical examination and advise some tests to make the diagnosis.
The Tests Include:
Semen Sample – Low volume of semen can indicate retrograde ejaculation.
Urine Sample – Your doctor will ask you to masturbate and collect a urine sample post-orgasm. It would help in the detection of a heavy load of sperm and fructose in urine. The presence of both will help in identifying retrograde ejaculation.
When your doctor is testing you for retrograde ejaculation, make sure you share all the important details. You should tell your doctor:
- Did you always have ejaculation issues?
- For how long are you having dry orgasms?
- Have you noticed any other symptoms?
- Do you have any chronic illnesses?
- Did you have any surgery in the past?
- Are you taking any medications currently?
- Have you ever gone through treatment for cancer?
These details will help your doctor understand your personal history and will assist him in making an accurate diagnosis.
How can retrograde ejaculation be treated?
Retrograde ejaculation in itself is not a serious condition. It does not need any treatment per se, and you can choose to ignore it if it does not bother you. It does not pose any risk to your health and will not interfere with other bodily functions.
The main problem remains with men who cannot impregnate their wives. In case you are a young couple and would like to plan a family, retrograde ejaculation might not let you do so. Also, not having a complete feeling even when you climax can be bothersome for some. Dry orgasms can make them feel less potent and they may need to rectify the situation.
It is to know that not ejaculating naturally could help in avoiding pregnancies. It is not totally safe and you may be able to deposit some semen. The feeling of sexual intercourse remains exactly the same and only you would not have an ejection like other men.
The treatment would depend on the underlying retrograde ejaculation cause. Therefore, you will need an expert who could help you determine the exact cause. After recognizing the main issue, the doctor will go on to advise the treatment protocol that can resolve the issue.
The treatment strategies include changing your medication if it is causing retrograde ejaculation. Do not stop or alter any medication without a doctor’s consent. Let your doctor determine and confirm the cause to go to the next step. You can also try to control the underlying medical condition with the help of a specialist. It might assist in reversing the condition.
There are certain medicines available that can help by working on tightening the faulty sphincter and stopping the reversal. These are a few antidepressants and other drugs that have this mechanism of action. Do not self-medicate and always take the help of a qualified expert. These medicines can increase your heart rate or blood pressure. A doctor might need to keep a check on your heart rate and blood pressure for some time after you start with these medications to ensure safety.
If a past surgery, permanent damage from spinal cord injury, or neurological damage is the reason for retrograde ejaculation, medicines usually do not help. For these cases, you will have to consult a fertility specialist and figure out other methods to help with conception.
What are the complications of retrograde ejaculation?
Retrograde ejaculation will not affect sexual pleasure or erection in any way. Other than giving you dry orgasms, it will not affect sexual intimacy in any way. For some not being able to ejaculate might cause distress. If you are anxious or stressed in any way, it will affect your sexual pleasure. For such cases, one would need to talk to an expert and find a way out.
If one cannot reverse the condition for any reason, psychological help can aid in dealing with mental stress. If you have other problems with erection or ejaculation, they are different from this condition and you should consult a sexologist.Â
Are there any ways you can avoid retrograde ejaculation?
There is no such way to prevent the condition. You can always take care of your health and avoid complicating the current health situation. If you are diabetic, keep your sugar levels in check to avoid a severe outcome. In the same way, if you have a medical condition, keep in control with the help of medication.
If you have to undergo prostate surgery at an early age, talk to your doctor about sperm preservation. You can also try Kegel’s exercise to improve the control of the muscles and help in avoiding such conditions.
Bottom Line
This will help you look out for retrograde ejaculation symptoms. Being aware will help you understand when something is wrong and nudge you to take the required steps in the right direction.
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