Retrograde Ejaculation (RE) is a Sexual Dysfunction.
It is not a harmful sexual condition, but it does not affect your ability to have an erection or orgasm.
Men with RE ejaculate little to no semen during an orgasm.
RE causes the semen to go to the bladder instead of coming out of the penis.
People who take medications for treating Diabetes and high BP may experience RE.
Let us dive deep into the article and learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of Retrograde Ejaculation.
What are the symptoms of Retrograde Ejaculation
RE is an ejaculation problem in men or Assigned Males at Birth (AMAB).
According to ISSM, an average healthy male ejaculates one-fourth to one teaspoon of semen in an orgasm.
It is vital for an individual to look out for the symptoms of RE to diagnose the cause for effective treatment.
The most common symptom of Retrograde Ejaculation is a dry orgasm.
Apart from a dry orgasm, the following are the symptoms of RE-
- Cloudy Urine– When semen enters the bladder instead of coming out, it mixes with the urine and causes cloudy urine.
- Infertility- Since semen is not getting ejaculated, a person with RE won’t be able to impregnate their female partners. It can cause infertility in men or AMAB.
However, RE is not a common cause of infertility. About 0.3 to 2 percent of infertility problems are caused by RE.
If you want to learn more about the symptoms of Retrograde Ejaculation, read 3 Retrograde Ejaculation Symptoms You Must Know.
Factors Responsible for Retrograde Ejaculation
Retrograde Ejaculation can be caused due to problems in circular muscles (bladder sphincter).
During an orgasm, the bladder sphincter closes to let semen out and keeps urine in the body.
Several factors may affect the working of circular muscles and may cause Retrograde Ejaculation.
If you have RE, it might be due to using certain medications, surgery, and medical conditions.
It is important to diagnose the causes of RE for an effective treatment.
The following factors might affect male ejaculation and lead to Retrograde Ejaculation.
Medicines
Retrograde Ejaculation is a side effect of some medications.
Medicines that are used for treating Depression and high BP can cause RE.
The following medicines may cause RE.
Antidepressants- Some antidepressants, such as Sertraline and Fluoxetine, can cause RE.
Alpha-blockers- Alpha-blockers used for treating high BP and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) may cause RE.
Antipsychotic medications- Medicines for treating psychotic disorders, such as Thioridazine and Risperidone, may also cause RE.
Other BPH medication- Medicine such as Tamsulosin (Flomax), which treats BPH and chronic prostatitis, may cause RE.
Surgery
Surgeries can damage the nerves and muscles near the bladder. The damage can affect ejaculation and can cause Retrograde Ejaculation.
The following surgeries may cause RE.
Prostate surgery- Some prostate surgeries can cause RE.
Bladder surgery- Surgeries used for treating the bladder may cause Retrograde Ejaculation.
Cancer staging surgery- Surgeries that help determine the stage of cancer near the pelvis or lower abdomen may cause RE.
Other surgeries- Other surgical procedures, such as removing the prostate and testicular cancer, may also cause RE.
Medical conditions
Source: pixelshotSeveral medical conditions can also cause Retrograde Ejaculation.
These medical conditions can damage the nerves around the bladder, thus causing RE.
The following conditions may cause RE by damaging the nerve around the bladder.
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spinal cord injury
To better understand the causes of RE, read 3 Retrograde Ejaculation Causes You Should be Aware of
Let us summarise the causes of RE with the help of a table for easy understanding.
| Factors | Possible Causes |
|---|---|
| Medicines | Antidepressants Alpha-blockers Antipsychotic medications Other BPH medication |
| Medical conditions | Diabetes Multiple sclerosis Parkinson’s disease Spinal cord injury |
| Surgery | Prostate surgery Bladder surgery Cancer staging surgery Other surgeries |
It is important to note that it might be irreversible when the RE is due to nerve damage.
How to manage Retrograde Ejaculation
There are several treatment options available for Retrograde Ejaculation.
The doctor can prescribe an effective treatment for your RE.
Your doctor may prescribe one of the following treatments for RE.
Medications
Several medicines may help improve the bladder’s muscle tone, which can help you ejaculate normally.
Medicines can help treat RE caused by nerve damage around the bladder and urethra.
Diabetes, surgeries, and other health conditions and treatments can cause nerve damage.
The following medicines might help treat Retrograde Ejaculation by keeping the bladder and neck muscles closed during ejaculation.
- Imipramine
- Midodrine
- Antihistamines such as Chlorpheniramine
- Decongestants such as Ephedrine
Taking these medicines can cause side effects such as high blood pressure. It is advised to talk to a doctor before taking these medicines for RE.
Changing medications
RE can be caused due to consuming medicines such as antidepressants or alpha-blockers.
Your doctor might prescribe a different medication or adjust the dosage of medicines that may cause RE.
You might notice an improvement in your ejaculation function after taking a different medicine or changing the dosage of medication that may cause RE.
Infertility treatments
Although RE is not a serious sexual dysfunction, it must be treated if you and your partner plan to conceive a child.
If the medicines are ineffective in managing RE, you will likely need infertility treatments for your RE.
The following infertility treatments can help treat RE.
Always consult a doctor before undergoing infertility treatments for your RE.
When to consult a doctor
Source: pixelshotThere is no danger or serious health issue linked with Retrograde Ejaculation.
However, It requires treatment if you and your partner plan to have a child.
It is advised to visit a doctor if-
- You are unable to ejaculate in an orgasm
- You are unable to conceive a child even after trying for a long time
- You are ejaculating little to no semen than usual in an orgasm
It would be best to consult a doctor if you are experiencing Retrograde Ejaculation, as it can be a symptom of other medical conditions.
According to a study, Retrograde Ejaculation was the primary symptom of Type-1 Diabetes.
Key Notes
Retrograde Ejaculation is a somewhat common Sexual Dysfunction in men or AMAB.
It is caused when semen enters the bladder instead of coming out of the penis during ejaculation.
The symptoms of Retrograde Ejaculation are dry orgasm, cloudy urine, and infertility.
It can be caused due to medicines, medical conditions, and surgeries. Medicines such as antidepressants and medical conditions such as Diabetes and high BP can lead to RE.
It is vital to diagnose the causes and the symptoms of RE to get an effective treatment option prescribed by the doctor.
There are several treatment options for treating RE effectively.
Taking medicines and infertility treatment can help you in treating PE effectively.
Although Retrograde Ejaculation is not a serious sexual condition, you should seek medical advice if you plan to conceive a baby in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the leading cause of Retrograde Ejaculation?
The leading cause of RE is the dysfunction of the bladder neck. When the bladder neck does not close during ejaculation, it can cause the semen to enter the bladder instead of coming out of the penis. Consult your doctor if you are unable to ejaculate during an orgasm.
What are the benefits of not ejaculating for 30 days?
Intense orgasms, helping Premature Ejaculation, and increased fertility are some benefits of not ejaculating for 30 days.
How long can Retrograde Ejaculation last?
It depends on the cause of RE. If RE is caused due to a medicine, changing or adjusting the dose of that medicine can help with RE. However, if RE is caused due never damage, it might be permanent. It is advised to seek medical help to diagnose the cause of RE.
Is Retrograde Ejaculation harmful?
Retrograde Ejaculation is not harmful but can interfere with fertility and sexual satisfaction.
Are weak ejaculation and Retrograde Ejaculation the same?
No, weak ejaculation and Retrograde Ejaculation are not the same. In weak ejaculation, a person ejaculates a low or reduced volume of semen, whereas, in RE, a person is unable to ejaculate in orgasm because semen moves to the bladder instead of coming out of the penis.
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