Retrograde Ejaculation Treatment: Proper Management Techniques
Retrograde Ejaculation (RE) is a condition where there is no ejaculation during an orgasm, which can be caused due to different factors.
The rate of Retrograde Ejaculation after TURP (a prostate surgery) is estimated to be as high as 70% to 90%.
The condition is not harmful, and most cases do not need any Retrograde Ejaculation treatment, but there are exceptions.
This article explains when to seek treatment for Retrograde Ejaculation and effective treatment options to manage the condition.
When do you need treatment for Retrograde Ejaculation
The three common symptoms of Retrograde Ejaculation are dry orgasm, cloudy urine, and infertility.
Usually, on consulting a urologist for the condition, an individual with RE will be told they do not need any treatment.
When RE causes infertility, however, a Retrograde Ejaculation treatment might be necessary.
This is especially so when a person has tried impregnating his female partner multiple times over a while but has failed.
The infertility happens because the semen does not reach the partner’s vagina as it does not come out of the penis.
Therefore, in such a situation, one needs treatment for Retrograde Ejaculation.
Treating Retrograde Ejaculation
If infertility is not an issue, Retrograde Ejaculation does not necessarily need to be treated.
But when one wants to cure their RE-related infertility, they may have to select a treatment option.
There are different ways to treat or fix it, but the ideal treatment for Retrograde Ejaculation depends on the underlying cause.
Therefore, Retrograde Ejaculation treatment should be customized for every individual to work effectively.
All the options that any person with RE can choose have been discussed below.
Medications
Disorders like Diabetes and Multiple Sclerosis can damage nerves in the body.
When nerve damage is the reason behind Retrograde Ejaculation, certain medications might help.
These medications improve semen output by tightening the bladder neck and stopping semen from entering it.
The medications are primary treatments for other conditions.
One of the first-line medication treatments for RE is Imipramine, an antidepressant.
Other medications that can also be used as Retrograde Ejaculation treatment include:
- Amoxapine, a tricyclic antidepressant
- Midodrine, a medicine to constrict blood vessels
- Ephedrine, a nasal decongestant
- Pseudoephedrine and Phenylephrine, both common cold medications
- Chlorpheniramine and Brompheniramine, antihistamines
To help with Retrograde Ejaculation, these medications like Imiprapine, may be taken daily before planned intercourse.
Also, though these medications have proven effective, they can have side effects like blurred vision, dizziness, and drowsiness.
Unregulated Diabetes can cause you to experience Retrograde Ejaculation your whole life by damaging nerves permanently.
Assisted reproductive techniques
When surgery has caused a change in the anatomy leading to RE, one might have to go for a fertilization treatment to have a biological child.
Infertility treatment is an option for treating Retrograde Ejaculation when medicines do not help improve it.
It will help a person with RE to impregnate their partner.
Some of the common assisted fertilization procedures have been mentioned below.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
Most doctors would probably suggest this Retrograde Ejaculation treatment first.
This technique involves sufficient sperm collection and depositing them to the female partner’s uterus.
An individual with RE going for the treatment will provide a sample in a private room at a lab by masturbating and collecting semen in a sterile container.
The person must collect the entire semen specimen by masturbation into a clean plastic container provided by the lab.
In some cases, a medical practitioner can retrieve sperm from post-ejaculatory urine by centrifuging it.
A centrifuge is a lab device that separates samples by spinning them at high speeds.
This causes heavier parts to settle at the bottom while lighter parts remain at the top.
Then, a small catheter puts washed sperm inside the uterus during ovulation.
Fertility doctors typically suggest a minimum of three IUI cycles before considering alternative treatment.
Other assisted fertility procedures
If IUI does not succeed in treating, the two other common procedures worth considering are:
- In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – In this process, the fertilization of eggs using sperm is done in a laboratory
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection – This is a process where a single sperm cell will be injected into the partner’s egg for fertilization
Conclusion
Retrograde Ejaculation is a condition when there is no ejaculation during an orgasm.
The semen does not exit through the penis but instead enters the bladder.
Retrograde Ejaculation is a harmless condition but can cause infertility.
Therefore, although RE does not require treatment, it may be necessary to have a biological child.
In such cases, medication forms the first line of Retrograde Ejaculation treatment for infertility.
These can help bladder muscles to become tighter and improve semen output.
Medications that can help treat RE include Imipramine, Amoxapine, and Midodrine.
Fertilization procedures like Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can also improve the chances of pregnancy if medicines fail.
If anyone experiences Retrograde Ejaculation, they should talk to a doctor about whether they need treatment and the best treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Retrograde Ejaculation diagnosed?
Retrograde Ejaculation is typically diagnosed through a physical exam, a review of the individual’s medical history, and a post-ejaculation urine analysis to check the presence of semen in the bladder.
What happens if Retrograde Ejaculation is left untreated?
Retrograde Ejaculation is not harmful but can cause male infertility if left untreated. However, it is essential to note that most cases of RE do not need any treatment as it is not harmful and does not impact the ability to have an orgasm.
Can Retrograde Ejaculation be completely cured?
No, Retrograde Ejaculation cannot be completely cured but can be managed successfully. The ideal treatment for Retrograde Ejaculation depends on the underlying cause. If nerve damage has caused RE, medications might work. In some cases, however, one may need to opt for assisted reproductive techniques to achieve a pregnancy.
Can Retrograde Ejaculation be prevented?
No, it is mostly impossible to prevent Retrograde Ejaculation as different factors can cause it. However, certain precautions may lower the risk of developing the condition. For example, men with Diabetes should take the prescribed medications and implement appropriate lifestyle changes.
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