Why is there no sperm during orgasm?
As a rule, sperm is ejaculated every time a man has an orgasm. However, there are cases in which the orgasm remains without ejaculation. If a man does not ejaculate, this can have various causes. It is possible that the semen empties into the bladder instead of leaving the body through the penis. Other reasons for a dry orgasm include blocked seminal ducts or a lack of seminal fluid.
A lack of ejaculation is more common in old age if, for example, the muscles or nerves that are important for ejaculation are affected during prostate surgery or other surgical procedures in the abdomen.
What is a dry orgasm?
Orgasm without ejaculation: In a dry orgasm, no semen comes out of the penis during climax. There are two forms of dry orgasm: In retrograde (misdirected) ejaculation, the semen empties into the bladder. In anejaculation, there is no ejaculation at all.
Is a dry orgasm dangerous? From a medical point of view, a dry orgasm in men is generally harmless. However, the lack of ejaculation can change the sexual experience and possibly dampen the pleasure of sex.
Retrograde ejaculation
- Damage to the bladder sphincter during surgical removal of the prostate through the urethra (transurethral prostate resection). This procedure is usually performed on older patients and often explains why ejaculation does not occur in old age. Other operations in the pelvic area can also affect the bladder sphincter.
- Nerve disorders (neuropathies) can impair the functionality of the bladder sphincter. This can also happen, for example, if nerves are pinched as a result of an accident or a herniated disc.
- Diabetes (diabetic mellitus)
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Multiple sclerosis
In rare cases, high blood pressure medication (alpha blockers) or inflammation of the seminal ducts can trigger retrograde ejaculation.
Retrograde ejaculation has no particular consequences. If you want to get rid of it, you should first treat the disease that is causing the disorder. Drug therapy is carried out with active substances that directly or indirectly influence the autonomic nervous system. The aim is to improve the closure of the internal bladder sphincter.
Delayed ejaculation/anejaculation
Total anejaculation is an orgasm without any ejaculation. The cause is usually a “blockage” of the seminal ducts, the absence of seminal fluid or a congenital disorder in the prostate area. Very rarely, the seminal vesicles and/or prostate are missing from birth.
Other possible causes are, for example
- Surgical interventions, especially the removal of lymph nodes in the abdomen
- Spinal cord injuries/paraplegia
- Diabetes mellitus
In the event of total anejaculation, a urologist should be consulted immediately to determine the cause of the condition. Further examination by a neurologist is often necessary. The condition underlying the anejaculation is treated.
Men who cannot ejaculate are naturally also not fertile. Couples who wish to have children can try to obtain sperm with the help of so-called vibrostimulation of the glans (penis vibrator). If this does not work, electroejaculation can be tried. This involves inserting an electrical probe into the man’s anus, which stimulates certain nerves required for ejaculation.
Dry orgasm is one of several forms of impaired ejaculation. You can find out more about the different forms in the article Ejaculation disorders.
