A transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is an example of an operation that usually causes retrograde ejaculation because it damages the bladder valve. This surgery cores out the prostate by passing a special scope into it through the urethra. Nerve damage We have already discussed the nerve bundles that sit on both sides of the prostate and help cause erections. Here, we will talk about the nerves that come from the spine and control ejaculation. Cancer operations that can cause dry orgasm by damaging the nerves that control emission (the mixing of the sperm and fluid to make semen) include: Abdominoperineal (AP) resection, which removes the rectum and lower colon Total mesorectal excision (TME), which removes the rectum as well as the mesorectum for treatment for rectal cancer Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND), which removes lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen (belly), usually in men who have testicular cancer Some of the nerves that control emission run close to the lower colon and are damaged by AP resection or a TME.
Lymph node dissection can damage the nerves higher up, where they surround the aorta (the large main artery in the abdomen). The effects of these operations are probably very much alike, but more is known about sexual function after RPLND. Sometimes this surgery only causes retrograde ejaculation. But it usually stops emission as well. When this happens, the prostate and seminal vesicles cannot contract to mix the semen with the sperm cells. In either case the result is a dry orgasm. The difference between no emission at all and retrograde ejaculation is important if a man wants to father a child. Retrograde ejaculation is better for would-be fathers because sperm cells may be collected from a man's urine and purified in a lab to be used make a woman pregnant. Sometimes the nerves that control emission recover from the damage caused by RPLND. But, if ejaculation of semen does resume, it can take up to several years for it to happen. Because men with testicular cancer are often young and have not finished having children, surgeons use nerve-sparing methods that often allow normal ejaculation after RPLND.
Additionally, the researchers found that men who had fewer sexual partners and started having sex later in life had a lower incidence of prostate cancer. But those scientists warned against jumping to conclusions because, correlation is not causation. There is no proof that frequent ejaculation can help prevent prostate cancer. But science is leaning that way because at least one large cohort study has found a connection. However, because of contradictory results like those in the studies mentioned above (you'd be forgiven for thinking you were watching a tennis match), more research is needed before definitive recommendations can be given. Scientists aren't sure why that might be, but they theorize (Garnick, 2009) that ejaculating frequently, thus regularly emptying the prostate of irritants or toxins, might be beneficial in preventing prostate cancer. Because experts can't definitively say what causes prostate cancer, they haven't issued recommendations on how to prevent it. But according to Harvard Medical School (Schmidt, 2018), quitting smoking and eating a heart-healthy diet — focused on fish, poultry, plant-based protein, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and salads — may reduce your risk.
In the past, there was a suggested link between greater sexual activity and increased incidents of prostate cancer because of higher levels of the male hormone testosterone and its effect on promoting cancer cell growth. However, enough studies have shown the opposite relationship—that sex lowers your risk—that many experts believe the more sex you have, the better. What Is Prostate Cancer? Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, right behind skin cancer. Prostate cancer is also the second most deadly cancer in American men. Prostate cancer is more frequent among African American men than it is among white men. Furthermore, African American men are more likely to die of prostate cancer than are white men. The vast majority of prostate cancers are a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinomas arise from cells that produce fluids like mucus. Symptoms Many people who are otherwise healthy and have prostate cancer exhibit no symptoms.