Many male fertility problems can be attributed to low sperm count or poor sperm motility. But there are also other problems, such as retrograde ejaculation, which require more specialist help.
At Manchester Fertility we help many men who suffer from retrograde ejaculation to have a family of their own, thanks to our expertise in treating all forms of male infertility.
Retrograde ejaculation is when semen passes backwards into the bladder instead of passing down the urethra and out.
It can be caused by the neck muscles of the bladder not functioning properly, allowing sperm to travel into the bladder instead, or an obstruction in the ejaculatory duct. Confirming retrograde ejaculation is done by analysis of your urine, as it will contain abnormal levels of sperm.
But don’t worry if your results show you have the condition, it doesn’t mean you’re infertile. Initially, you may be advised to ejaculate when your bladder is full, to increase your chance of producing semen. We can also retrieve sperm from your urine in our laboratory.
Whether your sperm can be used depends entirely on the quality of your sperm after preparation. Some sperm is good enough to be used for intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment, where the sperm is inserted directly into the uterus to put it closer to the egg.
Other sperm will be poorer and require either IVF, where the sperm is mixed with the egg in our laboratory to fertilise it, or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) where a single healthy sperm is extracted from your sample and injected directly into the egg.
Once our andrologist has examined your sample, the most appropriate treatment will be discussed in detail with you so you know your options. Please be reassured that although retrograde ejaculation may sound serious, it is treatable and can be overcome with the right help.
If you have any questions about retrograde ejaculation, you can contact us on 0161 300 2737 or email [email protected]. You can also use ourAsk the Expertfeature to post a question to us anonymously and in confidence.
Last updated: 20th January 2020
