What is dry orgasm?

A dry orgasm is when a person reaches orgasm (comes) but little or no semen comes out of the penis.

Semen is the fluid (liquid) released during ejaculation. When little or no semen comes out, the orgasm may feel dry. Aspermia is the term used when no semen is released.

Dry orgasm can happen because of:

• Retrograde ejaculation — semen flows backwards into the bladder instead of coming out through the penis. After orgasm, sperm may be found in the urine (wee). Little or no semen may come out of the penis.
• Anejaculation — no semen is released, and no sperm is found in the urine after orgasm.

What are the symptoms of dry orgasm?

If you have dry orgasm, you may notice little or no semen comes out of your penis when you reach orgasm. You may also notice cloudy urine after orgasm if semen flows into the bladder.

Dry orgasm can feel similar to a normal orgasm. Sometimes the feeling of pleasure is weaker or missing.

Dry orgasm can happen at the same time as other sexual difficulties, such as:

• low libido (a reduced interest in sex)
• erectile dysfunction (difficulty getting or keeping an erection)
• delayed ejaculation (taking a long time to ejaculate)

What causes dry orgasm?

Dry orgasm can happen after some types of surgery to the bladder or prostate. Surgery may change the normal flow of semen through your penis.

Other causes include:

• nerve damage from diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS) or a spinal cord injury
• some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, an enlarged prostate or depression
• radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer or testicular cancer
• health conditions where the body does not produce sperm
• a blocked sperm duct
• a lack of the hormone testosterone

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor if:

• little or no semen comes out of your penis when you orgasm
• this change is new or unexpected
• you notice cloudy urine after orgasm
• you have dry orgasm and are trying to have a baby
• you feel worried or distressed about the change

How is dry orgasm diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history and medicines. They may also ask to examine you. Before they start, you can ask them what will happen during the examination. You can bring a friend or partner with you if you like.

Tests may include:

• a urine test (to check for sperm in the urine)
• a blood test (to check hormone levels)
• an ultrasound test or other imaging test

How is dry orgasm treated?

Treatment depends on the cause and whether you want to have children.

Medicines

If a medicine is causing dry orgasm, your doctor may change the dose or suggest another option. Do not stop prescribed medicines without medical advice.

Some medicines may help stop semen from flowing backwards into the bladder.

Fertility treatment options

If dry orgasm affects fertility, sperm can sometimes be collected from urine after orgasm. Doctors can use this sperm in fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

If ejaculation does not happen naturally, your doctor may use assisted ejaculation techniques to collect sperm:

• Penile vibratory stimulation — a medical vibrator is placed on the penis to help cause ejaculation. This may help some people living with spinal cord injuries.
• Electroejaculation — a medical device sends small electrical pulses through a probe placed in the rectum (lower part of the intestine) to cause ejaculation. This is usually used if other methods do not work.

Surgical treatment

Sometimes, surgery may be considered. This involves collecting sperm directly from the testicles. It is usually only tried after other treatments have not worked.

Living with dry orgasm

Dry orgasm may affect how you feel about sex, fertility or your relationship. Some people may worry about sexual performance or having children.

You should try to talk openly with your partner. If dry orgasm affects your mental health or relationship, counselling can provide support.

What are the complications of dry orgasm?

Dry orgasm may sometimes:

• make it harder to have children (infertility)
• reduce sexual satisfaction
• affect relationships

Can dry orgasm be prevented?

Dry orgasm cannot always be prevented, especially if it is caused by nerve damage or surgery.

Managing conditions such as diabetes and reviewing medicines that affect ejaculation may reduce your chance.

Seek medical advice early if you notice changes in ejaculation.

Resources and support

Healthy Male offers information on various male health topics including dry orgasm and retrograde ejaculation.

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia offers information and support for people affected by prostate cancer, including:

• sexual function and side effects of prostate cancer treatment
• prostate cancer and erectile function
• videos and podcasts on sexual health and wellbeing after prostate cancer

Cancer Council offers information and support about changes in sexual function, including dry orgasm.

Sexual Health Australia has information on retrograde ejaculation.

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 you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet has information about sexuality, relationships and sexual health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Take Blaktion, from NSW Health's Play Safe campaign, has information about orgasm and other sexual health terms and topics for Aboriginal communities.

Our Mob and Cancer has prostate cancer information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Information for sexually and gender-diverse people

QLife has free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral, so you can talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

1800 My Options has sexual and reproductive health information for LGBTQIA+ people.

LGBTIQ+ Health Australia has a Genders, Bodies and Relationships Passport. This is a tool to support clear communication between intersex, trans and gender diverse people, and health and social care services.