What is Retrograde Ejaculation?

Retrograde ejaculation refers to a process wherein at orgasm, semen flows into the bladder rather than being expelled during ejaculation. Since, for the most part, the process of retrograde ejaculation is without pain and symptoms during sexual relations, the only symptom that may be noticed is either no emission of semen or reduced emission during a normal ejaculation process.

Though this condition of retrograde ejaculation is not dangerous to health in general, it affects fertility in the sense that it does not allow the discharge of semen from the body.

How Does Retrograde Ejaculation Occur?

During ejaculation, the muscles around the bladder and the urethra contract together to push semen out of the body. In retrograde ejaculation, these muscles fail to shut the opening of the bladder as they ought to do and allow semen to meet its way into the bladder instead. This is normally characterized by “dry” ejaculation, where little or no semen at all is ejected.

Causes of Retrograde Ejaculation

Retrograde ejaculation can result from various causes, often related to nerve or muscle issues that impact the bladder’s control during ejaculation. Some common causes include:

Medications: Certain medications for hypertension, prostate, or depression may affect the normal action of the bladder and lead to retrograde ejaculation.

Surgery: Procedures, especially on the prostate, bladder, and lower spine, can cause partial interference with the nerves and musculature involved in ejaculation. Surgeries of the prostate are among the most common surgical causes of retrograde ejaculation.

Neurological disorders, such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, sometimes cause retrograde ejaculation. These are disorders that can compromise the autonomic nervous system that’s necessary for controlling ejaculation.

Is Retrograde Ejaculation a Health Risk?

Generally, retrograde ejaculation does not threaten health and does not bring uncomfortable feelings. However, it can weaken the possibility to have children naturally, because sperm does not leave the body to eventually reach the female partner. The condition does not concern sexual feelings or climax but can be a psychological problem in the case of a child conception.

Dr. Rahul Mathur
Consultant Neuropsychiatris