Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor. Depending on the likely cause of your dry orgasms and whether you need evaluation and treatment to help you get your female partner pregnant, you might need to see a urinary and reproductive specialist (urologist).

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that might seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Write down key personal information, including prior surgeries or pelvic radiation, any major stresses, or recent life changes.
• Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you're taking.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Preparing a list of questions before your appointment can help you make the most of your time together.

When seeing your doctor for dry ejaculation — the primary sign of retrograde ejaculation — some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
• Are there other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
• What kinds of tests do I need?
• Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
• Am I at risk of complications from this condition?
• Does my condition need to be treated?
• Will I be able to conceive children?
• Should I see a specialist?
• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?

If you're trying to get your female partner pregnant, you might also want to ask:

• Will medications help me ejaculate normally?
• Can sperm be retrieved from my bladder and used for fertility treatment?
• Will my partner and I likely need to use assisted reproductive technology, such as intrauterine insemination, to achieve pregnancy?
• What's the best treatment to use to try to get my partner pregnant?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask additional questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will ask you questions about your health and symptoms. Your doctor might also do a physical exam that includes examining your penis, testicles and rectum. Your doctor will want to determine whether your dry orgasms are retrograde ejaculation or linked to another problem that may need further evaluation.

Being ready to answer your doctor's questions might save time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor might ask:

• Do you have cloudy urine after an orgasm?
• When did you first begin having dry orgasms?
• Do you ever ejaculate semen when you have an orgasm, or do you have a dry orgasm every time?
• What surgeries have you had?
• Have you had cancer?
• Do you have diabetes or any other chronic health problems?
• What medications or herbal remedies do you take?
• Do you and your partner want to have a baby? If so, how long have you been trying to conceive?