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Retrograde ejaculation is a condition where semen does not exit the penis during orgasm, instead ending up in the bladder. Symptoms include low semen volume and cloudy urine. Causes include medication, medical conditions, and injury. Treatment depends on the cause, and fertility treatments may be necessary for couples trying to conceive.
Retrograde ejaculation refers to a condition in men where ejaculate or semen does not always exit the penis during orgasm. Instead, the semen ends up in the bladder and the amount of semen is low. Another term that may be more commonly used to describe this phenomenon is dry orgasm.
Symptoms of retrograde ejaculation include a small amount of semen during ejaculation and cloudy urine after orgasm. Men may also find it difficult to help a female partner conceive children because the amount of sperm leaving the penis is minimal. Some people also report a less pleasant sensation upon orgasm, although this is not always the case. Diagnosing this condition is fairly straightforward, usually involving physical examination of the genitals and urinalysis after ejaculation.
What actually happens when retrograde ejaculation occurs is that the muscle in the bladder opening, called the bladder neck muscle, doesn’t contract as necessary to prevent the flow of semen into the bladder. The reason for this can be varied. Some medications for mood disorders, such as tranquilizers, can cause the bladder neck muscles to remain loose, and some medical conditions such as nerve damage from diabetes can cause dry orgasms. Injury to the bladder, spine, bladder removal, or prostate gland can also cause this condition.
Treatment depends on the cause and the desired result. Some men are helped by switching to a drug that does not cause retrograde ejaculation. If diabetes is the root cause, getting symptoms under control can help put an end to the condition. Some men may require surgery and others may not be able to resolve the condition if there is permanent injury to the pelvis or spine. In some cases, effective treatment occurs using a variety of medications that can help tighten the bladder neck so that more semen comes out of the penis. Even if treatment is not possible, although sexual pleasure may be slightly decreased, this condition does not cause erectile dysfunction, the inability to have an orgasm, or the inability to maintain an erection.
For many men, the main problem with retrograde ejaculation is that it causes infertility. Therefore, treatment, if it cannot fix the problem, may also involve fertility treatments for a couple trying to conceive. Doctors may be able to collect sperm from urine or bladder and use it in artificial insemination to help a couple conceive.
When men notice low sperm levels during ejaculation or when couples have been trying to get pregnant for over a year without success, retrograde ejaculation may be one of the things doctors test for. If men suspect it, they should talk to doctors. The underlying causes may require medical treatment. While not always a sign of ill health, dry orgasm can suggest health conditions that should be evaluated.
