Did Vasectomy Cause This?
Question
My husband had a vasectomy nine years ago. Everything was good but this past week we have had intercourse twice and the first time his sperm would not eject. The second time having intercourse a little bit came out. He is a type two diabetic and wondering if that would have anything to do with it. And his penis only goes semi hard. He is 41 years old and everyone keeps telling us it is prostate cancer. He drinks alot of caffeine.
Michele
Answer
Last Updated: December 2, 2014
Michele,
Because vasectomy blocks the ability of sperm to leave the testes—and sperm are only 1% by volume of the ejaculate—the quantity and the appearance of the seminal fluid to the naked eye is virtually the same after vasectomy.
Diabetic males may develop a number of problems with their urinary/reproductive tract. Changes in the small blood vessels may make it difficult to achieve a good erection, but as long as the person has at least a partial erection one of the oral medications can usually make the erection better (Viagra, Levitra or Cialis) so that intercourse is possible.
When ejaculation occurs a weak “valve muscle” (called the “internal sphincter” or bladder neck muscle) must close and the strong “valve muscle” (the “external sphincter” or pelvic muscle/continence mechanism) must open so that the seminal fluid exits from the prostate and out through the urethral channel of the penis. If the internal sphincter doesn’t close the seminal fluid will shoot into the bladder, mix with the urine, and exit the next time the person urinates. Sometimes this is what happens to diabetic men and they experience “backwards” ejaculation with little or no fluid exiting the penis during intercourse. This is harmless, but it greatly diminishes the chance of pregnancy.
Dr. Gregory Polito
Because vasectomy blocks the ability of sperm to leave the testes—and sperm are only 1% by volume of the ejaculate—the quantity and the appearance of the seminal fluid to the naked eye is virtually the same after vasectomy.
Diabetic males may develop a number of problems with their urinary/reproductive tract. Changes in the small blood vessels may make it difficult to achieve a good erection, but as long as the person has at least a partial erection one of the oral medications can usually make the erection better (Viagra, Levitra or Cialis) so that intercourse is possible.
When ejaculation occurs a weak “valve muscle” (called the “internal sphincter” or bladder neck muscle) must close and the strong “valve muscle” (the “external sphincter” or pelvic muscle/continence mechanism) must open so that the seminal fluid exits from the prostate and out through the urethral channel of the penis. If the internal sphincter doesn’t close the seminal fluid will shoot into the bladder, mix with the urine, and exit the next time the person urinates. Sometimes this is what happens to diabetic men and they experience “backwards” ejaculation with little or no fluid exiting the penis during intercourse. This is harmless, but it greatly diminishes the chance of pregnancy.
Dr. Gregory Polito
Answered By:
Gregory Polito, MD
Gregory Polito,MD, KM, Past President of CANFP, retired from a urologic practice, with a sub-specialty in vasectomy reversal
