June 1, 2023 Author : José Preza Fernandes Retrograde ejaculation is one ejaculation alteration and is a male sexual dysfunction. In retrograde ejaculation, most or all the sperm is directed towards the bladder during orgasm . It is characterized by: During an orgasm, the volume of sperm that comes out through the penis is lower than normal or even non-existent; Erection and orgasm are not affected; It does not affect sexual satisfaction. What is the cause of retrograde ejaculation? In retrograde ejaculation, sperm enter the bladder during orgasm. This is caused by insufficient contraction of the vesicourethral sphincter muscle , which keeps the communication between the bladder and urethra closed during an orgasm. Inability to contract the sphincter muscle can result from : Surgery of the prostate for benign disease or of the bladder next to its cervix, or in neighboring areas, for example the urethra; Side effects of some medicines that are used to treat hypertension, prostate hyperplasia and depression; Nerve injuries and disfunction, associated, for example, with spinal cord injuries and diabetes, among other illnesses. Symptoms and diagnosis Suspicion of retrograde ejaculation is raised by complaints of: Orgasms without sperm exiting the penis to the outside, or with a very small quantity, which is sometimes called a dry orgasm ; Cloudy urine after an orgasm ; Infertility , that is, failure to get a woman pregnant. Although a dry orgasm is often due to retrograde ejaculation, it can happen in other circumstances, for example after a prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate) or pelvic radiotherapy treatments. In these cases, there is even less sperm production than normal. The diagnosis is based on the complaints and health history, results of the physical exam, especially of the genitourinary system, and on results of lab tests and other medical tests that are necessary for each patient. Retrograde ejaculation treatment Retrograde ejaculation is not a serious health issue, so its treatment is not mandatory . It may be necessary when there are complaints of infertility . Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the t reatment of retrograde ejaculation depends on its causes . When the cause is medication side effects, alternatives, if any, may be considered in an attempt to solve the problem. When it is related to nervous alterations, medication may be indicated to help the contraction of the vesicourethral sphincter, although these are of reduced effectiveness and with somewhat inconvenient side effects. When anatomical alterations are involved, for example resulting from previous surgeries, as a rule there is no treatment. In these cases, to solve an infertility problem, it may be indicated to resort to medically assisted procreation techniques. Meet the urology clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
