European Urology European Urology 46 (2004) 555–558 Review EAU Guidelines on Ejaculatory Dysfunction G. Colpia, W. Weidnerb, A. Jungwirthc, J. Pomerold, G. Pappe, T. Hargreavef, G. Dohleg,* (EAU Working Party on Male Infertility) aAndrology Department, Osp. San Paolo, Milan, Italy bDepartment of Urology, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany cDepartment of Urology and Andrology, Landeskliniken Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria dDepartment of Urology, Fundacio´ Puigvert, Barcelona, Spain eDepartment of Androloy/Urology, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary fDepartment of Oncology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom gDepartment of Urology, Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Dr. Molenwaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands Accepted 23 July 2004 Available online 11 August 2004 Keywords: Ejaculation; Disorders; Diagnosis; Treatment; EAU guidelines 1. Int r o d uc tion sporadic events of nocturnal emission or of ejaculation occurring during great emotional excitement unrelated Disorders of ejaculation are uncommon but impor- to sexual activity [3]. tant causes of male infertility. Several heterogeneous dysfunctions belong to this group, and may be of either 2.3. Delayed ejaculation organic or functional origin. Delayed ejaculation is the condition wherein an abnormal stimulation of the erected penis is necessary to obtain an orgasm with ejaculation. It may be con- 2. Classification and aetiology sidered a slight form of anorgasmia: both can be alternatively found in the same patient. The causes 2.1. Anejaculation of delayed ejaculation may be psychological or Anejaculation is the complete absence of an ante- organic, e.g. incomplete spinal cord lesion [3], grade or retrograde ejaculation. It is caused by a failure iatrogenic penile nerve damage [4] pharmacological of emission of semen from the seminal vesicles, the (antidepressants, antihypertensives, antipsychotics). prostate and the ejaculatory ducts into the urethra [1]. True anejaculation is usually associated with a normal 2.4. Retrograde ejaculation orgasmic sensation. Occasionally, e.g. in incomplete Retrograde ejaculation is the total or sometimes spinal cord injuries, this sensation may be altered or partial absence of an antegrade ejaculation because decreased. True anejaculation is always connected with semen passes backwards through the bladder neck into central or peripheral nervous system dysfunctions or the bladder. Patients experience a normal or decreased with drugs [2] (Table 1). orgasmic sensation, except in paraplegia. Partial ante- grade ejaculation must not be confused with the secre- 2.2. Anorgasmia tion of bulbo-urethral glands. The causes of retrograde Anorgasmia is the inability to reach orgasm and this ejaculation can be subdivided as shown in Table 2. may give rise to anejaculation: its causes are usually psychological. It is often primary. Some patients report 2.5. Premature ejaculation * Corresponding author. Tel. +31 10 463 31 32; Fax: +31 10 463 58 38. Premature ejaculation is the inability to control E-mail address: [email protected] (G. Dohle). ejaculation for a ‘‘sufficient’’ length of time during 0302-2838/$ – see front matter # 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2004.07.020 556 G. Colpi et al. / European Urology 46 (2004) 555–558 Ta bl e 1 2.6. Painful ejaculation Aetiology of anejaculation Painful ejaculation is usually an acquired condition, Neurogenic often related to lower urinary tract symptoms, and Spinal cord injury sometimes causes moderate sexual dysfunctions. The Cauda equina lesion painful sensation may be felt in the perineum, or urethra Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy Aortoiliac or horseshoe-kidney surgery and urethral meatus [6]. It can be caused by ejaculatory Colorectal surgery duct obstruction, all types of chronic prostatitis/chronic Multiple sclerosis pelvic pain syndrome, urethritis, urethrocele, antide- Parkinson’s disease pressant drugs and psychological problems. Autonomic neuropathy (diabetes mellitus) Drugs-related Antihypertensives 3. Diagnosis Antipsychotics Antidepressants Alcohol Diagnostic management includes the following recommended procedures: 3.1. Clinical history vaginal penetration [5]. Although a universally Diabetes, neuropathies, traumas, urogenital infec- accepted meaning of ‘‘sufficient’’ length of time does tions, previous surgery and drug assumption have to not exist, some patients are not able to delay ejacula- be carefully checked. Particular attention must be paid to tion over a few coital thrusts, or even after vaginal the characters of micturition and ejaculation (presence penetration. Premature ejaculation may be strictly of nocturnal emission, ejaculating ability in given cir- organic (e.g., prostatitis-related) or ‘‘psychogenic’’ cumstances, primitive or acquired disorder, evolution) (i.e., neuro-biologically based), primary or acquired, as well as to the psychosexual sphere (education, partner-related or unselective, and can be associated features of affective relationship, pre-existent psycho- with erectile dysfunction. Premature ejaculation does logical traumas, previous psychological therapies). not involve any impairment of fertility, when intrava- ginal ejaculation occurs. 3.2. Physical examination Genital apparatus and rectal examination with eva- luation of the prostate, bulbocavernosus reflex and anal Ta bl e 2 sphincter tone are conducted. Minimal neurologic tests Aetiology of retrograde ejaculation include: sensitivity of scrotum, testes and perineum; Neurogenic cremasteric and abdominal cutaneous reflex; leg osteo- Spinal cord injury Cauda equina lesions tendinous and plantar reflexes. Multiple sclerosis Autonomic neuropathy (juvenile diabetes) 3.3. Post-ejaculatory urinalysis Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy This will determine if there is total or partial retro- Sympathectomy Colorectal and anal surgery grade ejaculation. Pharmacological 3.4. Microbiological examinations Antihypertensives Initial, mid-stream urine, prostatic expressed secre- Alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonists Antipsychotics tions and/or urine after prostatic massage are cultured Antidepressants for evidence of prostatic infection. In cases of increased leucocytes in semen, semen culture is also suggested. Bladder neck incompetence Congenital defects of hemitrigone Bladder extrophy 3.5. Further optional diagnostic work-up Bladder neck resection neurophysiological tests (bulbocavernosus evoked Prostatectomy response and dorsal nerve somatosensory evoked Congenital dopamine beta-hydroxilase deficiency potentials), Urethral obstruction tests for autonomic neuropathies (i.e. appreciation of Ectopic ureterocele temperature regulation in the feet), Urethral stricture psychosexual evaluation, Urethral valves or veru montanum hyperplasia videocystometry, G. Colpi et al. / European Urology 46 (2004) 555–558 557 cystoscopy, Alternatively, the patient can be encouraged to transrectal ultrasonography, ejaculate when his bladder is full, to increase bladder uroflowmetry, neck closure [13]. vibratory stimulation of the penis. Sperm collection from the postorgasmic urine for use in assisted reproductive techniques is suggested if: 4. Treatment the drug treatment is ineffective or not tolerable due to side-effects, The treatment of infertility due to disorders of when the patient has a spinal cord injury, ejaculation is rarely aetiological, and generally consists drug therapy inducing retrograde ejaculation cannot of retrieving spermatozoa to be used in assisted repro- be interrupted. ductive techniques (ART). In decision-making, the following aspects must be considered: Sperm retrieval is timed with the partner’sovula- tion. Urine must be alkalinised (pH in the range 7.2– age of patient and of his partner, 7.8) and osmolarity must be 200–300 mOsm/kg. Then psychological problems in the patient and his part- the patient is asked to have an intercourse or to ner, masturbate. Within 10 minutes after ejaculation, urine couple’s willingness and acceptance of the different must be voided and centrifuged, and the pellet resus- fertility procedures, pended in 0.5 ml Tyrode’sorHam’sF-10mediumand associated pathologies, immediately inseminated [14]. As an alternative, a psychosexual counseling. catheter may be applied to the bladder and 10–50 ml Tyrode’sorHam’s F-10 medium are instilled into it. 4.1. Aetiological treatments The patient must ejaculate, and a second catheterism interruption of pharmacological treatments interfer- is performed immediately to retrieve spermatozoa. ing with the ejaculation, The latter treatment minimises the contact of sperma- treatment of urogenital infections (i.e. in case of tozoa and urine [15]. If the biological sperm prepara- painful ejaculation), tion has not the needed quality to perform intrauterine Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for insemination, the couple can be submitted to in-vitro premature ejaculation, fertilisation procedures with fresh or cryopreserved psychotherapy, spermatozoa. surgical correction of the urethral pathology if pre- sent, 4.4. Anejaculation correction of metabolic disorders, like diabetes. Drug treatment for anejaculation due to lymphade- nectomy and neuropathy is not very effective. The 4.2. Symptomatic treatments same statement applies to psychosexual therapy in Premature ejaculation can be treated with topical anorgasmic subjects. In all these cases and in spinal anaesthetics to increase intravaginal ejaculation cord injured men, vibrostimulation is the first