Causes

By Mayo Clinic Staff

A dry orgasm can occur as a result of surgery to remove the prostate gland and surrounding lymph nodes (radical prostatectomy) or surgery to remove the bladder (cystectomy). After either of these procedures, you no longer produce semen. Dry orgasm can occur after some surgeries for testicular cancer, such as retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, which can affect the nerves that control orgasm.

In some cases of dry orgasm, semen is produced but goes into the bladder instead of out through the penis during sexual climax. This is known as retrograde ejaculation and is most often a consequence of medical procedures, particularly some prostate surgeries. It can also be caused by certain medications and health conditions.

In other cases of dry orgasm, men don't produce enough semen to ejaculate because of genetic abnormalities of the reproductive system.

Repeated orgasms use up all of the body's fresh semen and sperm. As a result, an orgasm that occurs after repeated orgasms might be dry. This is not a cause for alarm and generally improves after a few hours of rest.

Underlying causes of dry orgasm include:

  1. Bladder removal surgery (cystectomy)
  2. Blocked sperm duct (ejaculatory duct obstruction)
  3. Certain medications used to treat high blood pressure, enlarged prostate and mood disorders
  4. Diabetes
  5. Genetic abnormalities of the reproductive system
  6. Male hypogonadism (testosterone deficiency)
  7. Multiple sclerosis
  8. Open prostatectomy
  9. Prostatectomy (radical)
  10. Prostate laser surgery
  11. Radiation therapy
  12. Retrograde ejaculation
  13. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection
  14. Spinal cord injury
  15. TUIP (transurethral incision of the prostate)
  16. TUMT (transurethral microwave therapy)
  17. TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate)

Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

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Sept. 01, 2020

See also

  1. Retrograde ejaculation