What is retrograde ejaculation? Causes and consequences

1. What is retrograde ejaculation and what are the signs?

Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen does not pass through the penis to the outside but flows back into the bladder and then out through the urine. Normally, when ejaculation occurs, the urethral valve opens to allow semen to pass out. If retrograde ejaculation occurs, the urethral valve will not function properly, so semen flows back into the bladder.

Men who do not know the signs of retrograde ejaculation should pay attention to the following symptoms:

- The ejaculation process still occurs normally, but when reaching orgasm, men only see very little or no semen ejaculated.

- Semen in the urine causes cloudy urine after sex.

- You may experience pain when urinating, incomplete urination, frequent urination, and discomfort in the lower abdomen due to a bladder infection.

- Male infertility.

Retrograde ejaculation prevents sperm from reaching the egg for fertilization.

2. Factors affecting retrograde ejaculation

If you are wondering what causes retrograde ejaculation , men can refer to some of the following issues:

2.1. Urethral diseases

The urethra is the tube that carries semen from the bladder to the outside of the body, playing an important role in the process of controlling the secretion of semen and urine. Urethral diseases such as urethritis, urethral dilatation due to urethral stones or urethral fibroids can weaken the urethral valve mechanism. At that time, semen can easily flow back into the bladder instead of being pushed out through the penis.

2.2. Performing procedures on the genitals

Surgery involving the urethra, bladder, or prostate can cause retrograde ejaculation. Interventions in the urethral system during surgery can alter the structure and function of these organs, altering the functioning of the urethral valves.

2.3. Prostate disease

The prostate gland is located near the urethra and is responsible for producing fluid in semen. Men with prostate enlargement are at risk of changing the flow of urine and semen. This can affect the functioning of the urethral valve and cause retrograde ejaculation .

Enlarged prostate can be the cause of retrograde ejaculation in men.

2.4. Other factors

In addition to the factors mentioned above, aging, smoking, drinking alcohol, living in a environment with many toxic chemicals,... can also affect the function of the urethra and urethral valves, causing retrograde ejaculation .

3. What are the effects of retrograde ejaculation?

Men should know the consequences of retrograde ejaculation to proactively observe, detect early and have timely intervention measures:

3.1. Reduced sperm quality

Retrograde ejaculation reduces the quality of sperm. This can easily affect the ability to conceive.

3.2. Infertility

Men with retrograde ejaculation are at risk of infertility. Because sperm is refluxed into the bladder, it will not have a chance to meet the egg, making conception difficult. This is especially worrying for infertile couples who are looking to have children naturally.

3.3. Urethral and bladder infections

Semen comes into direct contact with the urethra and bladder, so people with retrograde ejaculation are susceptible to urethral and bladder infections. Symptoms of bladder infections are often: burning pain when urinating, urinary incontinence, frequent urination, and even infection that can spread to other organs of the urinary system, affecting health.

Men should see a specialist to diagnose the cause of retrograde ejaculation.

3.4. Psychological and emotional impact

Retrograde ejaculation can cause serious psychological and emotional problems for men. Men who experience this condition may feel frustrated in their sexual lives, worry about their fertility, may lose self-confidence, and experience a variety of other psychological disorders.

3.5. Other issues

In addition to the above consequences, retrograde ejaculation can also cause other problems in men such as decreased sexual desire, affecting emotional relationships,...

Hopefully the above sharing has helped you understand what retrograde ejaculation is and the consequences caused by this condition. To prevent and effectively treat retrograde ejaculation, men should see a specialist, perform the necessary diagnosis to help determine the correct cause and intervene in treatment according to instructions.

Men who are showing abnormal signs of reproductive health and need to be examined for proper diagnosis can contact and make an appointment with a Urology Specialist - MEDLATEC Healthcare System via hotline 1900 56 56 56 .