Retrograde Ejaculation Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Retrograde ejaculation is a condition when semen enters the bladder and does not come out through the penis during orgasm. A person with this condition still reaches sexual climax. However, semen that comes out of the penis at the time of ejaculation can be very little or none at all. This is sometimes referred to as a dry orgasm.
Retrograde ejaculation may be associated with infertility in men. Therefore, treatment of this condition is also aimed at improving fertility conditions.
Symptoms
Retrograde ejaculation does not affect a person’s ability to have an erection or orgasm. However, at the time of climax, semen will enter the bladder and not come out of the penis.
Some of the signs and symptoms that can arise in retrograde ejaculation are:
- Orgasm with little or no semen coming out of the penis (dry orgasm).
- Cloudy urine after orgasm because it contains semen.
- Infertility.
Reason
When a man has an orgasm, a tube called the vas deferens sends sperm to the prostate. There occurs mixing with other fluids to form semen or ejaculate.
The muscles at the mouth of the bladder should contract. This stretch is necessary to prevent the ejaculate from entering the bladder as it passes through the prostate to the urethra, which is the tube in the penis. This muscle is the same muscle to hold urine until someone can urinate.
In retrograde ejaculation, the bladder neck muscles cannot contract properly. Therefore, semen can enter the bladder and not exit through the penis.
Several conditions can cause interference with the muscles at the mouth of the bladder, including:
- Surgery, such as bladder neck muscle surgery, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for testicular cancer, or prostate surgery.
- Side effects of certain medications that are usually intended to treat high blood pressure, enlarged prostate, and depression.
- Nerve damage as a result of another health condition, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or spinal cord injury.
A dry orgasm is one of the main signs of retrograde ejaculation. However, dry orgasms, which are characterized by little or no ejaculation of semen, can also be caused by other conditions, including:
- Prostate removal surgery (prostatectomy)
- Bladder removal surgery (cystectomy)
- Radiation therapy to treat cancer in the pelvic area
Diagnosis
When determining a diagnosis, the doctor will do several things, including:
- Ask questions about the complaints experienced and how long the complaints have been going on. The doctor will also record a history of certain health problems, surgeries or cancers that have been experienced, as well as drugs that are consumed regularly.
- Perform a physical examination, which includes a physical examination of the penis, testicles, and rectum.
- Evaluate the urine to observe the presence of semen coming out of the urine after orgasm.
In those who experience dry orgasms, but no semen is found in the bladder, it can be suspected that there is a problem with semen production. This can occur due to damage to the prostate or the glands that produce semen due to surgery or radiation therapy for cancer in the pelvic area.
Treatment
Generally, retrograde ejaculation does not require treatment unless it interferes with fertility. In these cases, treatment can depend on the underlying cause of the disorder.
Sometimes, there are also allegations that lead to the effects of taking certain drugs. This is suspected of affecting a person’s ability to ejaculate normally.
If this happens, the doctor may suggest stopping treatment for a while, if possible. In addition, the doctor can prescribe medication to help contract the bladder neck muscles during ejaculation, if needed.
In those with retrograde ejaculation who are planning to have children, the doctor may also suggest consulting about the need to use assisted reproductive technology. Thus it is hoped that a successful pregnancy can occur.
Prevention
The occurrence of impaired muscle contractions cannot always be prevented from the start. But some things can be done, such as:
- If someone takes certain drugs or has certain health conditions that increase the risk of retrograde ejaculation, it is advisable to discuss with a doctor about ways to reduce this risk.
- If someone is about to undergo surgery that can affect the bladder neck muscles, such as prostate or bladder surgery, discuss the risks of retrograde ejaculation.
- If you want to have children in the future, discuss the options available before surgery.