Orgasms are the ultimate pleasure for most people and are often referred to as the highest point of sexual satisfaction.

However, what do you do when the blissful moment suddenly takes an unexpected turn, and there’s no evidence of an ejaculation?.

Retrograde ejaculation is a medical condition where semen is redirected from the urethra into the bladder during an orgasm. It might sound strange, but it’s an actual medical condition that can occur to any man at any age.

Although it poses no immediate threat to a person’s health, it can cause infertility issues.

What is Retrograde Ejaculation?

Retrograde ejaculation is a condition where the same muscles responsible for pushing semen out of the urethra during ejaculation relax and allow semen to enter the bladder instead.

As a result, there’s no noticeable discharge during an orgasm, even though the individual may still experience the euphoric sensation.

The sympathetic nervous systems regulate the muscles around the prostate gland and urethra.

These muscles contract during an orgasm to allow the ejaculation to occur, with the bladder neck muscles simultaneously closing to prevent the semen from being redirected back to the bladder.

However, when there’s an issue with the muscles involved in the process, things can go wrong. A variety of factors can cause the bladder neck muscles to relax during an orgasm, thus leading to retrograde ejaculation.

The most common cause is surgery where the bladder neck muscles were weakened or injured, and diabetes, which damages the nerves regulating the function of the muscles involved in ejaculation.

Symptoms of Retrograde Ejaculation

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it’s best to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

No Semen Discharge

The most obvious symptom of retrograde ejaculation is the absence of semen during an orgasm. The individual may still experience the same euphoric feeling that accompanies an ejaculation; however, nothing visibly occurs.

Changes in Urine Color

Although urine shouldn’t contain any semen under normal circumstances, pee that has a cloudy appearance or is tinged with semen-like fluid could be an indication of retrograde ejaculation.

Infertility

Individuals with retrograde ejaculation can’t conceive through normal intercourse, as semen isn’t being released from the penis. However, fertility methods like IVF can still be an option for these individuals.

Causes of Retrograde Ejaculation

The bladder and urethra muscles are responsible for allowing and stopping the movement of urine and semen. They work together to prevent semen from entering the bladder instead of leaving the body through the penis.

If any problem arises in the process, semen goes into the bladder instead. Some potential causes of retrograde ejaculation are:.

Surgery

Men who undergo bladder neck or prostate surgery may experience retrograde ejaculation due to the weakening of the muscular functions around the urethra.

This type of damage is a common side effect of open prostatectomy, urethral repair surgery, or bladder neck surgery.

Diabetes

Diabetes can also damage the nerves that regulate the muscles responsible for an orgasm. When the nervous system doesn’t work properly, it can result in some people experiencing retrograde ejaculation.

This type of nerve damage is more common in people with long-term, poorly controlled diabetes.

Medications

Some medications like alpha-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, and chemotherapy drugs interfere with the muscles used during ejaculation and can cause retrograde ejaculation.

If you’re taking these drugs and experience any strange symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

Diagnosis of Retrograde Ejaculation

During an appointment with a doctor, the medical practitioner will perform various tests to determine if a patient indeed has this condition. The tests involved include:.

Urine Test

A urine test is relatively easy and effective in diagnosing retrograde ejaculation. If there’s a high concentration of sperm in the urine, it could indicate a problem.

Fertility Test

If a man and his partner have been trying to conceive with little success over six months to a year, a fertility test can help identify if the man is producing sperm, whether they’re normal enough to fertilize an egg or not, and whether retrograde ejaculation is causing the infertility.

American Urological Association Symptom Index

This symptom index is a questionnaire that doctors use to screen patients who may have retrograde ejaculation.

It’s a series of standardized questions about urinary function that can help diagnose and determine the severity of a patient’s condition.

Treatment for Retrograde Ejaculation

If your doctor diagnoses you with retrograde ejaculation, various treatment options depend on the underlying problem that’s causing it. Common treatment options include:.

Medications

Doctor-prescribed medications like imipramine or pseudoephedrine can help improve the muscle contractions and help reduce or prevent retrograde ejaculation gradually.

However, taking these medications can cause side effects like dry mouth, dizziness, and high blood pressure, so it’s essential to talk to a doctor before starting any medication regimen.

Counselling

Counselling can help to relieve anxiety, depression, and mental health issues that relate to retrograde ejaculation.

For men dealing with mental health issues caused by this condition, a sex therapist or a specialist in this area can provide much-needed therapy for emotional and mental health recovery.

Nerve Stimulation

If diabetes or surgery causes retrograde ejaculation, nerve stimulation could help improve the muscle function and regulate the nerves regulating an orgasm.

A device called TENS delivers electric shocks to the nerves that assist in regulating bladder and sphincter function.

Conclusion

Retrograde ejaculation might be scary at first, but please know that it’s a medical condition that you can manage effectively like any other condition.

Get a timely diagnosis and follow through with the recommended treatment options for the condition during the initial evaluation. Seeing a doctor for issues like this is nothing to feel embarrassed about. Remember, the earlier the diagnosis, the better your chances of overcoming retrograde ejaculation and mitigating the potential risks it poses.