Why am i not releasing sperm

Overview

Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm. Although you still reach sexual climax, you might ejaculate very little or no semen. This is sometimes called a dry orgasm.

Retrograde ejaculation isn't harmful, but it can cause male infertility. Treatment for retrograde ejaculation is generally only needed to restore fertility.

Symptoms

Retrograde ejaculation doesn't affect your ability to get an erection or have an orgasm — but when you climax, semen goes into your bladder instead of coming out of your penis. Retrograde ejaculation signs and symptoms include:

  • Orgasms in which you ejaculate very little or no semen out of your penis (dry orgasms)
  • Urine that is cloudy after orgasm because it contains semen
  • Inability to get a woman pregnant (male infertility)

When to see a doctor

Retrograde ejaculation isn't harmful and requires treatment only if you're attempting to father a child. However, if you have dry orgasms, see your doctor to be sure your condition isn't caused by an underlying problem that needs attention.

If you and your female partner have had regular, unprotected intercourse for a year or longer and have been unable to conceive, see your doctor. Retrograde ejaculation might be the cause of your problem if you ejaculate very little or no semen.

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Causes

During a male orgasm, a tube called the vas deferens transports sperm to the prostate, where they mix with other fluids to produce liquid semen (ejaculate). The muscle at the opening of the bladder (bladder neck muscle) tightens to prevent ejaculate from entering the bladder as it passes from the prostate into the tube inside the penis (urethra). This is the same muscle that holds urine in your bladder until you urinate.

With retrograde ejaculation, the bladder neck muscle doesn't tighten properly. As a result, sperm can enter the bladder instead of being ejected out of your body through the penis.

Several conditions can cause problems with the muscle that closes the bladder during ejaculation. These include:

  • Surgery, such as bladder neck surgery, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection surgery for testicular cancer or prostate surgery
  • Side effect of certain medications used to treat high blood pressure, prostate enlargement and depression
  • Nerve damage caused by a medical condition, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or a spinal cord injury

A dry orgasm is the primary sign of retrograde ejaculation. But dry orgasm — the ejaculation of little or no semen — can also be caused by other conditions, including:

  • Surgical removal of the prostate (prostatectomy)
  • Surgical removal of the bladder (cystectomy)
  • Radiation therapy to treat cancer in the pelvic area

Risk factors

You're at increased risk of retrograde ejaculation if:

  • You have diabetes or multiple sclerosis
  • You've had prostate or bladder surgery
  • You take certain drugs for high blood pressure or a mood disorder
  • You had a spinal cord injury

Complications

Retrograde ejaculation isn't harmful. However, potential complications include:

  • Inability to get a woman pregnant (male infertility)
  • Less pleasurable orgasm due to worries about absent ejaculate

Prevention

If you take medications or have health problems that put you at risk of retrograde ejaculation, ask your doctor what you can do to lower your risk.

If you need to have surgery that might affect the bladder neck muscle, such as prostate or bladder surgery, ask about the risk of retrograde ejaculation. If you plan to have children in the future, talk with your doctor about options for preserving semen before the surgery.

Jan. 11, 2022

Not releasing sperm is usually harmless, but it depends on the cause. Some forms of sexual dysfunction can cause problems releasing sperm and lead to infertility.

Keep reading to learn more about the importance of ejaculating, possible issues, and some treatment options.

In most cases, it is not harmful for a person to ejaculate, but it depends on the cause.

Ejaculation refers to the expulsion of semen from the body. Typically, sexual stimulation causes the central nervous system to build arousal to the point of orgasm.

During this process, sperm from the testicles travel through the epididymis and into the vas deferens. From here, it enters the urethra through the prostate’s ejaculatory ducts, mixing with seminal fluid, which comes from the seminal vesicles, and prostate secretions. The contraction of the pelvic muscles expels this fluid, now called semen, from the tip of the penis.

Several factors can prevent stimulation leading to ejaculation. Ejaculation usually occurs with an orgasm, but not always. The causes of preventing ejaculation can be intentional or unintentional.

Intentionally preventing ejaculation

Some people choose to delay ejaculation, such as during edging. Edging is when a person builds sexual stimulation almost to the point of orgasm but stops just before it occurs.

Edging is unlikely to cause health problems. In rare cases, it can cause epididymal hypertension, or “blue balls.” Other people intentionally prevent ejaculation entirely, such as those practicing Taoism.

Sexual dysfunction

In other cases, medical conditions can prevent ejaculation. For example, nerve damage can cause delayed ejaculation. Males with delayed ejaculation experience difficulty or inability to ejaculate in a reasonable time.

Anejaculation is where people are completely unable to ejaculate semen. People with this condition can still produce sperm and experience orgasms — however, they cannot ejaculate.

Anejaculation has a range of triggers, from pelvic injuries to acquiring infections. The condition can lead to infertility without treatment.

Retrograde ejaculation is where some or all of the sperm enters the bladder instead of out of the penis. The condition can also lead to infertility, but further issues are unlikely. Retrograde ejaculation is sometimes due to side effects from certain medications, such as tamsulosin. It is a harmless condition but may cause concern in some people.

The side effects of not ejaculating depend on the cause and the person.

People who choose not to ejaculate are unlikely to experience harmful side effects. The body breaks down unused sperm, which does not build up to trigger further problems.

Over time, not ejaculating can trigger psychological problems.

For example, people with sexual dysfunctions that affect their ability to ejaculate may experience distress or embarrassment. It can also lead to relationship problems. For example, partners may become frustrated with a person with sexual dysfunction.

These psychological problems could lead to mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety disorders.

Not everyone needs treatment for not ejaculating. For example, people who practice edging choose to delay ejaculation.

There are several treatments for people with sexual dysfunctions that prevent ejaculation, depending on their cause.

Many triggers are psychological, and people may benefit from psychotherapy or counseling. These sessions may involve the individual alone or with their partner.

Other causes are physical. For example, people with an infection can experience anejaculation or retrograde ejaculation. In these cases, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medications.

Some medications or drugs can also cause sexual dysfunction as a side effect. For example, antidepressant use or excessive alcohol consumption could cause delayed ejaculation. Changing medications and reducing alcohol consumption can help in these situations.

In addition, certain medical procedures, such as prostate surgery, can lead to retrograde ejaculation.

People who are unable to ejaculate due to sexual dysfunction should talk to a doctor about treatment.

Some may also benefit from sex therapy. Sex therapists use a variety of techniques to help people with sexual dysfunction, including psychotherapy and mindfulness.

Other general tips that can help include:

  • avoiding excessive alcohol consumption before intercourse
  • being aware of medication side effects, which may include sexual dysfunction
  • talking to a partner about the problem
  • practicing stress management techniques
  • seeking help from a professional for mental health problems

It is normal to have problems ejaculating from time to time. People who can ejaculate occasionally are unlikely to need medical treatment. Those who intentionally avoid ejaculation also do not need further healthcare.

It is worth seeing a doctor if the problem is due to sexual dysfunction. For example, people who regularly experience issues or are unable to ejaculate at all should consult a healthcare professional.

Many causes of sexual dysfunction are psychological. Talking to a partner about these problems is one way to address these issues. A mental health professional can also help.

Not ejaculating is rarely harmful, but it depends on the cause. Some people choose not to ejaculate, such as those practicing edging. Others cannot ejaculate due to sexual dysfunction.

People should see a doctor if they consistently experience issues with ejaculation. Healthcare professionals can discuss possible treatment options.

What is the reason for sperm not coming out?

Retrograde ejaculation occurs when semen enters the bladder instead of emerging through the penis during orgasm. Although you still reach sexual climax, you might ejaculate very little or no semen. This is sometimes called a dry orgasm. Retrograde ejaculation isn't harmful, but it can cause male infertility.

How can I get my sperm to come out?

Some people claim that urinating, showering, bathing, or using vinegar may remove semen from the vagina after sex. However, once semen has entered the cervix, there is no scientifically proven way to remove it.

What to do if you are not ejaculating?

Measures you can try yourself masturbate an hour or 2 before having sex. use a thick condom to help decrease sensation. take a deep breath to briefly shut down the ejaculatory reflex (an automatic reflex of the body during which ejaculation occurs)