Electroejaculation has helped many men realize their dreams of fatherhood. Electroejaculation can provide hope for men that cannot ejaculate on their own. Men with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, or diabetes, among other medical problems may find it difficult to impossible to ejaculate without medical assistance. In such cases medical intervention is required to achieve a pregnancy. If medication and other less invasive procedures have failed to provide an adequate and long-lasting erection so that ejaculation may be achieved, electroejaculation may be recommended. At his practice in Houston, urologist Larry Lipshultz utilizes electroejaculation to retrieve viable sperm from men experiencing issues with their ejaculatory function.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and Ejaculation

Each year, thousands of new cases of spinal cord injury are reported in the United States alone. Most of these injuries occur in men between the ages of 16 and 30 years of age. The vast majority of these men will experience fertility issues directly related to their spinal cord injuries. One of the most common problems affecting men with spinal cord injuries is anejaculation. Anejaculation, or the inability to ejaculate during sexual intercourse, affects up to 90 percent of men suffering from spinal cord injury. Without the ability to ejaculate during sexual intercourse, a pregnancy cannot be achieved without medical assistance.

Spinal Cord Injury and Sperm Quality

Men suffering from spinal cord injury that have retained their ability to ejaculate during sexual intercourse may still suffer from infertility. The majority of men with spinal cord injury experience poor semen quality. Sperm motility in men with spinal cord injury is significantly lower than in healthy men not suffering from spinal cord injury. Many men with spinal cord injury are able to produce normal numbers of sperm, but the motility of the sperm in the ejaculate is quite poor. As a result of poor sperm motility only a small number of men with spinal cord injury are able to father a child without medical assistance.

Other Conditions and Anejaculation

Multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and other disorders can affect the ejaculatory function of a man. Many male patients with multiple sclerosis experience the inability to ejaculate. Fortunately, multiple sclerosis does not appear to affect sperm quality. Up to 50 percent of males with diabetes experience some form of sexual dysfunction. It is common for men with diabetes to experience difficulty ejaculating during sexual intercourse.

Electroejaculation

Men that are unable to ejaculate during sexual intercourse and desire to father a child may benefit from male fertility surgery. One of the most effective procedures available today to retrieve motile sperm in men that cannot ejaculate on their own is electroejaculation. The electroejaculation procedure is performed under general anesthesia. In some patients with spinal cord injury, general anesthesia may not be necessary. A thorough physical examination is performed before the procedure begins. A catheter is then used to completely empty the bladder. Before beginning the procedure, a protoscope is gently inserted into the rectum to ensure that there are no lesions or other injuries present. Penile vibratory stimulation is then performed. If ejaculation is not achieved through penile vibratory stimulation, the electroejaculation procedure process will continue. A probe connected to an electric supply is then inserted into the rectum. The voltage is slowly and carefully increased until ejaculation has taken place. The ejaculate is then collected in a sterile container and moved to a warming tray.

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about electroejaculation, please contact Dr. Larry Lipshultz today.