What is a dry orgasm?

A dry orgasm is when a male has an orgasm (comes) without ejaculating any semen.

Dry orgasm can happen when:

• there is no semen being made in your body
• your semen travels backwards into your bladder instead of coming out of your penis (retrograde ejaculation)

What symptoms are related to dry orgasm?

If you have a dry orgasm, you might have no ejaculation when you reach orgasm.

Dry orgasm can feel like a normal orgasm, or you may have less sensation. You can still feel like you ejaculated but little or no semen comes out of your penis.

You might also notice your urine is cloudy after a dry orgasm.

You may have symptoms of other sexual difficulties at the same time, such as:

• low libido (sex drive)
• erectile dysfunction (inability to keep an erection and be able to complete sexual activity)
• delayed ejaculation

What causes dry orgasm?

Dry orgasm can be caused by some types of surgery to your bladder or prostate. Something can happen during or after the surgery to change the usual flow of semen out through your penis.

Other causes of dry orgasm are:

• nerve damage due to diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, surgery or a spinal cord injury
• some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, an enlarged prostate or depression .
• benign prostate hypertrophy
• surgery or radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer
• conditions where no sperm is made
• a blocked sperm duct
• a lack of the hormone testosterone

How is the cause of dry orgasm diagnosed

You doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and lifestyle. They will also examine you. You can ask what will happen during the examination. You can bring a friend or partner with you if you like.

Your doctor may advise you to have some tests such as:

• a urine test
• blood hormone levels
• an ultrasound test or other imaging test

When should I see my doctor?

It’s best to talk to your doctor for advice about dry orgasms.

Dry orgasm can be caused by conditions that need to be treated. Dry orgasm also needs to be treated if you want to have a child.

It’s important to remember that dry orgasms are nothing to be embarrassed about. Talking to a health professional about your concerns can often help to reassure you.

How is dry orgasm treated?

It’s important to treat any underlying causes of ejaculation problems.

Self-care at home

Your doctor might suggest:

• lifestyle changes
• behavioural techniques

With retrograde ejaculation, ejaculating when your bladder is full may help.

Medicines for dry orgasm

Your doctor may review your medicines to see if they may be causing the problem. You should never stop taking prescribed medicines without talking to a doctor first.

There are also medicines to treat dry orgasms.

Other treatment options

Sometimes counselling can help with dry orgasm.

Are there any complications of dry orgasm?

Although dry orgasm is not a serious health problem itself, it can be caused by conditions that need treatment.

If you have retrograde ejaculation, you are more likely to have trouble becoming a father. If you have fertility problems due to dry orgasms, there are fertility treatments designed to collect sperm.

Resources and Support

Learn more about ejaculation difficulties at the Health Male website.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia can provide information about prostate surgery.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.