Follower help- What is Retrograde Ejaculation?

Have you ever heard of retrograde ejaculation? It's a condition shrouded in mystery, but I, Stephanie Smith, bring it to light in a candid conversation about male sexual health. In our latest episode, we tackle this condition, also known as dry orgasm, where sperm travel into the bladder instead of exiting the body. Our discussion ventures into understanding the why and how of this phenomenon, dissecting potential causes from medication side effects to the aftermath of surgical procedures. 

Dr. Dan Brennan, MD, from WebMD, joins me to untangle the complexities of diagnosis and treatment options, providing vital insights for anyone grappling with this condition or those simply seeking knowledge. We address symptoms like cloudy urine following intimacy and delve into the significant fertility implications it carries. This episode is not just informative but also a source of support and resources for individuals facing retrograde ejaculation. Tune in for a conversation that's as much about education as it is about empathy, where personal health struggles are shared and addressed with care.

12/30/23

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:46

Hello and welcome back to let's Talk About Sex with Stephanie Smith. I am your host, stephanie, and I am here today to talk about retrograde ejaculation. What is it? Well, retrograde ejaculation is when a man's sperm goes into his bladder instead of coming out of his penis. You often still feel an orgasmic release with retrograde ejaculation, but you won't see anything coming out. Another name for retrograde ejaculation is dry orgasm. So what actually causes this? So retrograde ejaculation is caused by a problem with your bladder muscle. Ordinarily, when you have sex, a small sphincter muscle holds your bladder closed. If this muscle stays open, sperm can flow backward during orgasm and go into the bladder. Conditions that may cause it include some blood pressure medications, some depression medications, medications for prostate issues, urethral surgery, prostate surgery, nerve damage, prostate removal, bladder removal, problems with semen production, radiation therapy in the pelvic area. What are some of the symptoms? So the main symptom is a lack of sperm coming out during an orgasm. Your orgasm will have less ejaculate than usual or none at all. Clowdy urine after you have sex may also be a sign of retrograde ejaculation. You may have infertility or trouble getting your partner pregnant because your sperm can't reach your partner's eggs to fertilize them. So how do doctors diagnosis To figure out the cause of your dry orgasms? Your doctor will ask about your medical history and give you a physical exam. They may ask you to give a urine sample shortly after orgasm and they may test your urine samples for semen. This test is often done in the doctor's office and you can ask to urinate, masturbate to an orgasm and then urinate again.

Speaker 1: 3:12

How is retrograde ejaculation treated? The treatment is it depends on the cause. If you have nerve damage, your doctor may recommend medication, but the medications most often prescribed for this condition can cause higher blood pressure and a faster heart rate. They may not be a good option if you have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure. When to see a doctor? So, when your retrograde ejaculation isn't harmful and doesn't affect your ability to get an erection, to have an orgasm, many people with it. They still have enjoyable sex life, so you may want to get treatment. If you're concerned about your fertility, if you've been trying to get your partner pregnant for a year without success, visit your doctor. You may also want to try treatment if dry orgasms cause psychological distress or if you don't like how it feels, because dry orgasms can be a sign of other conditions. It's always a good idea to have your doctor rule out anything more serious.

Speaker 1: 4:22

I want to thank a follower for asking me to cover this on our show. You know it's always difficult to talk about personal issues and always know that you're not the only one who's usually suffering from an issue such as this. So that's why I like to do podcasts, so that way we get to share it with other people and help not just the person who reached out to us, but to anybody else who's out there who's also suffering. I wanted to then give credit. I got this information from WebMD and give credit to. It was reviewed by Dr Dan Brennan MD, and I just wanted to give credit to them. I love reading that WebMD. I've been following WebMD for many, many years since I was in healthcare and I reference a lot of their stuff and I love going and digging deeper into things like this. So please feel free to send me an email and I would be happy to discuss any topic that you are having an issue with or that you would like me to discuss on my podcast.