MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Retrograde ejaculation

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Retrograde ejaculation

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Male reproductive system

Alternative names Return to top

Ejaculation retrograde

Definition Return to top

Retrograde ejaculation refers to the entry of semen into the bladder instead of going out through the urethra during ejaculation.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Retrograde ejaculation may be caused by prior prostate or urethral surgery, diabetes, some medications, including some drugs used to treat hypertension and some mood altering drugs.

The condition is relatively uncommon and may occur either partially or completely. The presence of semen into the bladder is harmless. It mixes into the urine and leaves the body with normal urination. Men with diabetes and those who have had genitourinary tract surgery are at increased risk of developing the condition.

Symptoms Return to top

Little or no semen discharged from the urethra in conjunction with the male sexual climax (during ejaculation)
Possible infertility
Cloudy urine after sexual climax

Signs and tests Return to top

A urinalysis performed on a urine specimen that is obtained shortly after ejaculation will reveal a large amount of sperm in the urine.

Treatment Return to top

If retrograde ejaculation is caused by drugs, removal of the specific drug may resolve the condition. Retrograde ejaculation caused by diabetes or following genitourinary tract surgery may be responsive to the use of epinephrine-like drugs (such as pseudoephedrine or imipramine).

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

If retrograde ejaculation is caused by medications, discontinuation of the medication often restores normal ejaculation. If retrograde ejaculation is caused by surgery or diabetes, it is often not correctable.

Complications Return to top

The condition may cause infertility.

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are having difficulty conceiving a child or you are concerned about retrograde ejaculation.

Prevention Return to top

Maintaining good blood sugar control in diabetic men may be helpful in preventing the development of this condition. Avoiding drugs that cause retrograde ejaculation will prevent the condition developing as a result of their use.

Update Date: 8/11/2003

Updated by: Scott M. Gilbert, M.D., Department of Urology, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.