A dry orgasm is when someone with a penis has an orgasm but does not ejaculate. Sometimes, people do this on purpose during sex or masturbation. Other times, lack of ejaculation is involuntary.
Intentionally preventing ejaculation during sex is known as semen retention. This practice can sometimes prolong sex or enable someone to experience multiple orgasms. Some believe it has physical or mental health benefits.
However, unintentional dry orgasms are different. This can be the result of a person having already ejaculated recently. But if an individual often has dry orgasms with no clear cause, it could indicate an underlying condition.
Keep reading to learn more about the causes of dry orgasms and the available treatments.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
One potential cause of a dry orgasm is having repeated orgasms close together.
If a person has already ejaculated recently, it can take time for the body to replenish its semen. As a result, having another orgasm may mean there is no ejaculate left.
This is typical and not a cause for concern. The body will continue producing more semen, and after a rest period, semen stores will return to their usual levels.
If they do not, and someone continues having little or no semen when they orgasm, it could be a result of the following factors.
Testosterone levels
Low testosterone can also occur in people who have hormonal imbalances, take certain medications, or undergo certain medical treatments.
Learn more about low testosterone.
Sometimes, dry orgasms occur due to a blockage in the ejaculatory duct, which is the small tube through which the semen travels during ejaculation, or the urethra, which transports semen outside the body. This blockage is known as ejaculatory obstruction.
Potential causes of an obstruction include:
- injury
- infections
- inflammation
- strictures
- cysts
Damage to the nerves that control ejaculation may also lead to dry orgasms.
Nerve damage may occur as a result of an accident that causes spinal injury or as a complication of another condition, such as cancer, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis.
People can also sustain nerve damage during surgery.
In addition to a risk of nerve damage, some surgeries also involve removing body parts that produce sperm or semen. These surgeries may affect ejaculation.
For example, surgeries for prostate cancer that remove the prostate or seminal vesicles — the glands that produce most of the fluid that comprises semen — will result in permanent dry orgasms. The testes
Other medical treatments that may affect ejaculation include:
- cystectomy
- laser prostate surgery
- lymph node dissection
- transurethral resection of the prostate
- transurethral incision of the prostate
- transurethral microwave therapy
- radiation therapy
Some people do not produce enough semen to ejaculate because of their genetics.
For example, Klinefelter syndrome is a genetic condition in which males have an extra X chromosome. This means their chromosomes are XXY instead of XY. The condition can result in there being
Another genetic condition that can affect ejaculation is cystic fibrosis (CF). Males with CF can have infertility, but those who only carry one gene for CF but do not have the condition
Learn more about infertility and CF.
People can have differences in their anatomy that cause dry orgasms. For example, in some individuals, the vas deferens does not develop as it should. The vas deferens transports sperm out of the testes so it can become part of the semen.
A person with no vas deferens may still ejaculate, but they may not have much seminal fluid, and there will be no sperm within it. This means they cannot conceive.
Some people who carry the gene for CF experience this problem, but often, the cause is unknown.
Many people confuse a dry orgasm with a retrograde ejaculation, but they are not the same thing.
While both cause someone to orgasm without releasing semen, retrograde ejaculation causes ejaculate to flow backward into the bladder instead of out through the urethra. This phenomenon occurs if the bladder neck does not close before an orgasm.
People who experience retrograde ejaculation do not release ejaculate at the time of the orgasm, but they do later on when they urinate. The fluid can make the urine appear cloudy.
Some potential causes of retrograde ejaculation include:
- diabetes
- surgeries to the bladder neck or prostate
- certain medications, such as phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine, or thioridazine
This phenomenon is not harmful, so while it does not usually require treatment, it can affect fertility. If a person wants to conceive, they may need to ask a doctor about treatment options.
To diagnose the cause of dry orgasms, a doctor will begin by asking a person some questions about their symptoms, such as when they began and how often they occur.
They may also ask about any medications the person takes, whether they have had any surgical procedures around the groin or pelvis, or if there is a family history of certain conditions.
The doctor may perform a physical examination of the area, including the prostate, penis, and rectum. They may also suggest testing the urine after a person has had an orgasm.
To do this, they will give them a sample cup and ask them to masturbate in a bathroom until they climax. The person then urinates after climaxing, collecting a urine sample in the container. This process can help identify cases of retrograde ejaculation.
From there, the doctor may order several different tests, depending on what they suspect the underlying cause to be. For example, they may recommend genetic testing if they suspect a genetic cause or medical imaging tests if they suspect a structural problem.
Treating involuntary dry orgasms involves addressing the underlying cause. Sometimes, it may be possible to resolve them completely. In other cases, dry orgasms may be permanent.
Depending on the situation, a doctor may suggest:
- trying medications
- adjusting existing medications
- treating underlying conditions, such as diabetes
- medical procedures to address blockages, structural problems, or to keep the bladder neck closed during ejaculation
- fertility treatments, if the person wants to conceive
Even if the person cannot conceive through sex, there are other ways to retrieve sperm and fertilize an egg. Some may also choose to freeze their sperm in case they want to conceive in the future.
Learn more about sperm cryopreservation.
Some find it embarrassing to talk about sexual health and fertility with doctors. They may feel that something is wrong with them, or if they are a male, that it makes them less masculine.
However, many of the causes of dry orgasms and general fertility difficulties are treatable. They are also common.
Difficulty conceiving affects around
Seeking help may allow a person to conceive more quickly, get answers to their questions, or provide reassurance. If someone often experiences dry orgasms and does not know why, they can consider speaking with a health professional.
Occasional dry orgasms can occur if a person has already ejaculated recently or if they deliberately stop themselves from ejaculating.
However, more frequent dry orgasms can sometimes be a sign of a medical condition, such as low testosterone, a blockage, nerve damage, or structural differences.
Because there are a variety of causes, it is helpful to consult a doctor who is knowledgeable on male sexual health or fertility. They can help identify the cause and suggest ways to treat the root cause, if necessary.
It is important to note that some people with dry orgasms may still release sperm in very small amounts. As a result, using contraception during sex is still important to prevent unplanned pregnancies.