What is Retrograde Ejaculation?
What is Retrograde Ejaculation?
Retrograde ejaculation is a condition that occurs when semen heads into the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during ejaculation.
The difference between normal ejaculation and retrograde ejaculation:
Ejaculation is the expulsion of semen from the urethra when a man reaches orgasm. Under normal circumstances, ejaculation pushes semen forward through the urethra to exit from the tip of the penis. This is because the sphincter muscle located at the entrance of the bladder closes the bladder opening, preventing semen from entering it.
In retrograde ejaculation, the muscle that closes the bladder does not function properly. This allows some or all of the semen to flow backward into the bladder at the time of ejaculation. When this happens, a reduced amount of semen exists from the tip of the penis.
The main symptoms of retrograde ejaculation include:
• Little or no semen during ejaculation.
• Cloudy urine due to the presence of semen when urinating for the first time after intercourse.
Retrograde ejaculation is associated with various factors, including:
1. Surgical interference: Retrograde ejaculation can occur after surgery in the pelvic area, prostate, or nerves surrounding the penis. For example, it can occur after prostatectomy.
2. Nerve disorders: Some diseases that cause nerve disorders, such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis, can disrupt the nerve function that controls the ejaculation process.
3. Use of certain medications: Some medications used to treat hypertension and psychological disorders can affect the ejaculation process and cause retrograde ejaculation.
4. Genital abnormalities: There may be genital abnormalities that affect the ejaculation process and cause retrograde ejaculation.
Risks of retrograde ejaculation:
Retrograde ejaculation does not affect a man’s ability to achieve an erection or experience sexual pleasure, but it can cause infertility because the sperm cannot reach the woman’s uterus to fertilize the egg.
If you have a retrograde ejaculation problem and you seek treatment, consult Dr. Adham Zaazaa, a consultant in male diseases, ICSI, and professor of male and fertility surgeries at Cairo University, to evaluate your condition.
