Electroejaculation

Electroejaculation

Electroejaculation is a way of stimulating a patient through the use of a mild electrical current to obtain a semen sample. First, the patient is placed under anesthesia. Then a reproductive urologist positions a rectal probe over the prostate gland. The probe emits a mild electrical current to stimulate ejaculation. Any semen obtained is transferred to a sperm bank for freezing and storage.

Who is Eligible?

This technique can be used for post-pubertal males. It may be considered by those patients who would like to bank sperm but cannot produce a specimen through masturbation (because of illness, pain, anxiety, embarrassment, or religious or cultural prohibitions).

What are the Potential Risks/Concerns?

These techniques involve the standard risks associated with anesthesia. To minimize risk, consider scheduling with other procedure(s) that the patient has to undergo requiring anesthesia. There are also the risks associated with an invasive procedure; to minimize risk, patient may need prophylactic antibiotics.

Future Use and Success Rates

When ready to attempt pregnancy, the frozen semen specimens are thawed and used with in vitro fertilization (IVF) with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Success rates vary based on age and fertility status of the female partner and on the quality of the pre-treatment specimen.


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