Retrograde Ejaculation is a condition when semen collects in the bladder instead of passing down through the urethra.
Retrograde Ejaculation may affect fertility and sexual satisfaction in men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB).
Understanding the causes behind the condition is essential to find an effective treatment.
These causes may be due to medical conditions, abdominal abnormalities, or neurological factors.
This article will discuss the causes of Retrograde Ejaculation.
Knowing Retrograde Ejaculation causes will help individuals make informed decisions and enhance their sexual well-being.
What is Retrograde Ejaculation
Retrograde Ejaculation (RE) is a sexual dysfunction that affects the ejaculations in a man or AMAB.
Under this condition, the semen gets deposited in the bladder instead of expelling from the urethra through the penis.
It occurs due to the bladder, neck and sphincter muscle breakdown.
These organs are responsible for directing the flow of semen during the ejaculation process.
This reduces the volume of semen ejaculated in individuals with Retrograde Ejaculation.
Some individuals might experience a complete loss of ejaculation, leading to infertility problems.
While this condition is usually not harmful, it might keep a man from fertilizing their partner.
If you experience ejaculation problems like a decrease or loss of semen volume, consult a doctor.
Read: All You Need to Know About Ejaculation Problems.
Retrograde Ejaculation Causes
After you discuss your Retrograde Ejaculation symptoms with a doctor, they will identify the cause of the condition.
Knowing what causes Retrograde Ejaculation will help you make an informed decision.
Several medical, anatomical, and neurological factors may significantly contribute to this condition.
Let’s discuss these causes of Retrograde Ejaculation in detail here.
Medical causes
Source: Monkey_Business_ImagesMedical causes are the most significant cause of Retrograde Ejaculation.
One may experience RE due to medical conditions like Diabetes, some medicines, or as a surgical side effect.
According to NIDDK, people with Diabetes are at risk of Retrograde Ejaculation.
Uncontrolled sugar levels cause damage to nerves and affect the working of the bladder.
This may restrict semen from emptying the bladder, leading to symptoms of RE.
Your current medicines may also hinder the release of semen due to their working.
Alpha-blockers and alpha-1 blockers work to relax the muscles in the bladder.
This action of these alpha-blockers triggers Retrograde Ejaculation as a side effect.
Also, surgeries of the bladder and urethra may damage the reproductive organs in the body.
Studies indicate that these surgeries affect the normal male ejaculation process in males and may cause infertility.
These medical causes disrupt the working of muscles in the bladder’s neck and sphincter.
The severity and intensity of symptoms due to medical causes of Retrograde Ejaculation may vary in different individuals.
Consulting with a healthcare professional is essential to determine the underlying cause.
Anatomical causes
Anatomical causes of Retrograde Ejaculation are caused due to abnormalities in one’s body.
Structural abnormalities like injury in the spinal cord are a significant cause of Retrograde Ejaculation symptoms.
Studies have shown that spinal cord injury damages men’s spinal nerve roots.
These nerve roots work to facilitate the genital and urinary tract in enabling smooth ejaculation in males.
Some individuals may also experience RE symptoms due to previous reproductive system surgeries.
These include surgeries of the bladder, enlarged prostate, and urethra.
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) involves the removal of the prostate gland and might cause internal damage.
About 3 out of 4 men with TURP experience Retrograde Ejaculation symptoms at some point.
Inform your doctor if you had surgery for these areas to get a suitable remedy.
Neurological causes
Source: ElnurDamage to nerve cells (Neuropathy) is common in men with Multiple Sclerosis.
A study by Systematic Reviews states that men with MS are more likely to experience Retrograde Ejaculation.
Individuals with a medical history of spinal cord injuries are also more prone to frequent nerve damage.
Nerve cells in the bladder and prostate work to transport the semen and expel it through the urethra.
Damage to these nerve cells hinders this process and misleads the ejaculatory direction.
This causes semen to collect in the bladder instead of normal ejaculation through the penis.
Other neurological causes of RE emerge as side effects of certain medications.
Retrograde Ejaculation treatments
There are several treatments available for treating Retrograde Ejaculation in men.
Medicines may effectively help ease the causes of this condition.
Some of these medicines include antidepressants, antihistamines, and common cold medication.
Studies reveal taking Antidepressants like Imipramine temporarily helps in inducing paternity.
Another study states that blood-constricting medicines like Midodrine improve the transportation of semen in men.
Improved transportation helps the bladder muscles to ejaculate semen through the urethra.
Additionally, a journal states that about 50% of men with RE noticed relief in their symptoms after using antihistamines.
Some individuals may also improve their Retrograde Ejaculation symptoms with medicines to relieve the common cold symptoms.
Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, and Phenylephrine are popular medicines in this category.
Read: Retrograde Ejaculation Treatment.
Closure
It is essential to be aware of Retrograde Ejaculation causes to improve this sexual condition.
Medical factors like Diabetes, medications, and surgeries significantly cause RE.
Some individuals may also experience anatomical and neurological causes of Retrograde Ejaculation.
By understanding these underlying causes, individuals can seek appropriate medical advice.
Discuss your symptoms with a physician who will recommend suitable treatment depending on your condition’s severity.
With the proper diagnosis and customized treatment, one can gain sexual health and overall satisfaction.
Disclose your complete medical history, including current medications, underlying medical conditions, and allergies to avoid any adverse effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes Retrograde Ejaculation in men?
Several medical, anatomical, and neurological factors may cause Retrograde Ejaculation.
Medical causes like Diabetes, certain medications, and previous surgeries.
Anatomical causes include bladder and prostate surgeries, while neurological factors are underlying Multiple Sclerosis and spinal injury.
What are the medical causes of Retrograde Ejaculation?
People with Diabetes may experience Retrograde Ejaculation symptoms.
Side effects from medications like alpha and alpha-1 blockers might also result in RE symptoms.
Other medical causes include any history of surgeries in the past.
Can prostate surgery lead to Retrograde Ejaculation?
Yes, surgical procedures like Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) or laser surgery may cause RE symptoms.
They might damage the nerves or muscles involved in ejaculation, resulting in Retrograde Ejaculation.
How can I treat Retrograde Ejaculation symptoms?
Consult a doctor and disclose your complete medical history.
After diagnosing and analyzing your symptoms, the doctor will suggest a suitable treatment.
Treatment options may vary in different individuals depending on their condition’s severity.
Is Retrograde Ejaculation reversible or treatable?
Retrograde Ejaculation can be fixed or treated, depending on its cause.
It’s essential to talk to a doctor to get an exact diagnosis.
Depending on your condition’s severity, they will suggest a suitable treatment.
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