What is painful ejaculation? Experiencing pain during ejaculation can be distressing, and for some men the condition can be persistent or severe. Painful ejaculation, also known as male dysorgasmia, is a relatively common condition affecting up to 10% of men. Complaints can be either acute (sudden and short-lived) episodes or chronic (ongoing or recurrent). Painful ejaculation is also sometimes called dysejaculation, odynorgasmia, or orgasmalgia. The causes of dysorgasmia are many, ranging from infections and prostate problems to nervous system disorders and medications. Therefore, it is important to see a specialist to determine the exact cause of painful ejaculation and receive the correct treatment. What is the origin of painful ejaculation? Painful ejaculation is a common problem, and pain can occur during one or both phases of ejaculation: The emission phase – when sperm and secretions are pushed out simultaneously from the epididymis, prostate gland and seminal vesicles to form seminal fluid; The ejection phase – when the muscles in the pelvic floor contract repeatedly to push the seminal fluid through the urethra (the channel through which urine also exits the body) While dysorgasmia usually refers to pain in the penis and urethra, the pain can be widespread or specific be limited to the testicles, scrotum, lower abdomen, rectum and perineum (the space between the anus and genitals). What is dysorgasmia pain? In male dysorgasmia, ejaculation pain can range in intensity from a dull ache to excruciating pain, depending on the underlying cause. The pain may last for a few seconds or up to two days. In addition to pain, there may be signs of blood in the semen, called hematospermia. What distinguishes dysorgasmia from other types of pain in the male reproductive system is that the pain occurs as a direct result of orgasm and ejaculation. What are the causes of painful ejaculation? Painful ejaculation can occur for many different reasons, and in some cases the cause may be unknown (idiopathic). Although few causes are life-threatening, dysorgasmia can significantly impair a man’s self-esteem, quality of life, and sex life. Some of the most likely causes of dysorgasmia in men that specialists commonly investigate include: Lower urinary tract infections A 2020 review published in the journal Cureus reported that 1 in 4 men experience painful ejaculation as part of a lower urinary tract infection urinary tract. Lower urinary tract infections are those that involve the bladder, bladder neck, urethra, prostate gland, and muscles called urinary sphincters that regulate the flow of urine. Most urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by a bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E.coli) that is naturally present in the body (especially in the intestinal tract). However, painful ejaculation can also be caused by other types of bacteria. Risk factors in men include diabetes, use of a urinary catheter, or an enlarged prostate. Inflammatory conditions Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can affect the male reproductive system, including the testicles, prostate, urethra, and epididymis (testicles). These include sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis. Also, bacteria can be present in semen/semen. This sperm infection can lead to symptoms of prostatitis and painful ejaculation. Infections can cause inflammation in various parts of the male reproductive system, resulting in: Orchitis – inflammation of the testicles; Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland; Urethritis – inflammation of the urethra (urinary channel); Epididymitis – inflammation of the epididymis There are also non-infectious causes of these conditions, such as previous urinary tract surgery, chemical irritants and prolonged cycling or riding. Regardless of the cause, inflammation of any of these parts of the male reproductive system can easily cause pain during ejaculation. Chronic Prostatitis and Painful Ejaculation According to a 2018 review in Translational Andrology and Urology, as many as 30% of men with chronic prostatitis, also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, experience painful ejaculation. Enlarged Prostate An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a condition that usually affects older men and can cause painful urination, frequent urination, nocturnal urination, and other urinary symptoms. An enlarged prostate can also cause pain after ejaculation. References: 1. Gray M, Zillioux J, Khourdaji I, Smith RP. Contemporary management of ejaculatory dysfunction 2. Parnham A, Serefoglu EC. Retrograde ejaculation, painful ejaculation and hematospermia 3. Wagar M, Omar K, Moubasher A, Brunckhorst O, Ahmed K. Painful ejaculation – an ignored symptom 4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition and facts of bladder infection in adults 5. Verywell Health. Painful Ejaculation (Male Dysorgasmia)This sperm infection can lead to symptoms of prostatitis and painful ejaculation. Infections can cause inflammation in various parts of the male reproductive system, resulting in: Orchitis – inflammation of the testicles; Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland; Urethritis – inflammation of the urethra (urinary channel); Epididymitis – inflammation of the epididymis There are also non-infectious causes of these conditions, such as previous urinary tract surgery, chemical irritants and prolonged cycling or riding. Regardless of the cause, inflammation of any of these parts of the male reproductive system can easily cause pain during ejaculation. Chronic Prostatitis and Painful Ejaculation According to a 2018 review in Translational Andrology and Urology, as many as 30% of men with chronic prostatitis, also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, experience painful ejaculation. Enlarged Prostate An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a condition that usually affects older men and can cause painful urination, frequent urination, nocturnal urination, and other urinary symptoms. An enlarged prostate can also cause pain after ejaculation. References: 1. Gray M, Zillioux J, Khourdaji I, Smith RP. Contemporary management of ejaculatory dysfunction 2. Parnham A, Serefoglu EC. Retrograde ejaculation, painful ejaculation and hematospermia 3. Wagar M, Omar K, Moubasher A, Brunckhorst O, Ahmed K. Painful ejaculation – an ignored symptom 4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition and facts of bladder infection in adults 5. Verywell Health. Painful Ejaculation (Male Dysorgasmia)This sperm infection can lead to symptoms of prostatitis and painful ejaculation. Infections can cause inflammation in various parts of the male reproductive system, resulting in: Orchitis – inflammation of the testicles; Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland; Urethritis – inflammation of the urethra (urinary channel); Epididymitis – inflammation of the epididymis There are also non-infectious causes of these conditions, such as previous urinary tract surgery, chemical irritants and prolonged cycling or riding. Regardless of the cause, inflammation of any of these parts of the male reproductive system can easily cause pain during ejaculation. Chronic Prostatitis and Painful Ejaculation According to a 2018 review in Translational Andrology and Urology, as many as 30% of men with chronic prostatitis, also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, experience painful ejaculation. Enlarged Prostate An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a condition that usually affects older men and can cause painful urination, frequent urination, nocturnal urination, and other urinary symptoms. An enlarged prostate can also cause pain after ejaculation. References: 1. Gray M, Zillioux J, Khourdaji I, Smith RP. Contemporary management of ejaculatory dysfunction 2. Parnham A, Serefoglu EC. Retrograde ejaculation, painful ejaculation and hematospermia 3. Wagar M, Omar K, Moubasher A, Brunckhorst O, Ahmed K. Painful ejaculation – an ignored symptom 4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition and facts of bladder infection in adults 5. Verywell Health. Painful Ejaculation (Male Dysorgasmia)Serefoglu EC. Retrograde ejaculation, painful ejaculation and hematospermia 3. Wagar M, Omar K, Moubasher A, Brunckhorst O, Ahmed K. Painful ejaculation – an ignored symptom 4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition and facts of bladder infection in adults 5. Verywell Health. Painful Ejaculation (Male Dysorgasmia)Serefoglu EC. Retrograde ejaculation, painful ejaculation and hematospermia 3. Wagar M, Omar K, Moubasher A, Brunckhorst O, Ahmed K. Painful ejaculation – an ignored symptom 4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition and facts of bladder infection in adults 5. Verywell Health. Painful Ejaculation (Male Dysorgasmia)