What is retrograde ejaculation, and what is its relationship with STIs?

Retrograde ejaculation, though it may sound complex, is a fairly simple condition that can affect some men.

During a male orgasm, a tube called the vas deferens transports sperm to the prostate, where it mixes 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.

During retrograde ejaculation, semen travels into the bladder instead of exiting the body through the penis. With retrograde ejaculation, the bladder neck muscle doesn’t tighten properly. As a result, sperm can enter the bladder instead of being ejected through the penis. This is sometimes called a “dry orgasm” since no to very little seminal fluid exits the tips of the penis.

You can be at increased risk of experiencing retrograde ejaculation if:

• You have a spinal chord injury
• You take drugs to manage high blood pressure or mood disorders like anxiety or depression
• You’ve had recent surgery that involved the bladder or prostate
• You have diabetes
• You have multiple sclerosis

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), often referred to as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections primarily transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. They are caused by various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Common STIs include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Syphilis
• HIV
• HPV
• Herpes
• Mycoplasma
• Trichomonas
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C

Most STIs don’t produce any symptoms. It’s possible for you to have an STI and not even know it.

STIs are a serious public health concern. They can cause serious harm to your health, including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), certain cancers, and even death in some circumstances. That’s why it’s important to get tested regularly if you’re sexually active.

There is no direct connection between STIs and retrograde ejaculation. There are no STIs that have been known to cause retrograde ejaculation.

Some people may worry that that may inadvertently spread infections to other parts of their body: for instance, if they have an STI and they ejaculate, spreading the infection to the bladder.

Certain bacterial STIs, like Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea, or parasitic STIs like Trichomonas, infect the urinary tract during an infection. It is theoretically possible that, during such an infection, the misdirected semen travelling through the urinary tract could transfer the bacteria or parasites to the bladder, spreading the infection. However, such an occurrence would be very unlikely.

In conclusion, maintaining sexual health is a vital aspect of overall well-being. Understanding conditions like retrograde ejaculation and STIs is the first step towards better health outcomes. It’s crucial to seek professional guidance when experiencing any symptoms or concerns related to sexual health.

If you’re worried that you have an STI, you should get tested. Call the number above to speak to one of our Sexual Health Advisors, who can suggest the right clinic and STI test or screen for you.