Painful ejaculation can turn one of life’s greatest pleasures into something frustrating.

Dysorgasmia or orgasmalgia, aka painful ejaculation, is a condition in which a man feels pain during or after each ejaculation. This pain can be felt on the penis, scrotum, and perineal or the area around the anus.

This condition may affect a man’s sex life and his relationships. It can also be a primary symptom of a mild to serious complication.

Causes

Painful ejaculation is caused by a range of conditions. There are also times when the cause may be psychological or can’t be explained by a medical cause. The most common causes are as follows:

Prostatitis

Prostate disorders are the most common cause of painful ejaculation. This includes prostatitis or the inflammation of the prostate. Prostatitis is usually caused by an infection in the prostate, and it also causes pain during urination, which may lead to being confused with urinary tract infection (UTI). Other symptoms include pain in the lower abdomen and difficulty in getting an erection.

Certain surgeries

Surgeries may cause different side effects, including painful ejaculations. Surgeries that involve the prostate or treatment for prostate cancer may cause this pain. Other side effects may include erectile dysfunction and penile or testicular pain.

Surgeries for treating hernia may also cause painful ejaculation.

Medications

Some types of medication may cause painful ejaculation. This includes antidepressants, which can also cause different sexual dysfunctions such as libido changes and erectile dysfunction.

Cysts or stones

The development of cysts or stones in the ejaculatory duct can cause painful ejaculation. These may block the tube where the ejaculation is supposed to pass through, causing the pain. It may also cause infertility.

Prostate cancer

One of the common symptoms of prostate cancer is painful ejaculation. Though usually asymptomatic, this type of cancer also includes symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, problems with urination, or blood in the semen or urine.

Sexually transmitted infections

A number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause painful ejaculation. In addition to the painful ejaculation, men may also feel a burning sensation when urinating.

Common infections include gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

Seminal vesicle disorders

The seminal vesicle is the major gland that mixes the sperm and different fluids to make semen. When this gland experiences problems, particularly growths called calculi, it can cause painful ejaculations.

Nervous system disorders

Disorders that affect the nervous system can cause damage to the nerves that are responsible for orgasms and ejaculations. These damages can cause feelings during ejaculation.

Other physical injuries that can harm the nerves can also cause pain. Men who had a bad history with their spinal cord may experience different sensations during ejaculation.

Psychological issues

Different types of psychological issues including depression, stress, and anxiety can affect a man’s sex life, which can also manifest into physical problems such as painful ejaculation. 

Treatment

Treatment varies depending on what causes the painful ejaculation. Make an appointment with your doctor to get diagnosed properly. They will conduct a physical examination as well as a few tests to find the cause of the problem.

Prostatitis, STIs, and other infections – a course of antibiotics are usually prescribed. For serious infections, IV antibiotics or even hospitalization is required.

Medications or antidepressants – have an appointment with your doctor and know what alternatives you can get. Don’t stop taking your meds without consulting your doctor first, or your condition may worsen.

Cysts and stones – the blockage made by cysts or stones are usually treated by surgically removing them from the ejaculatory duct.

For side effects of surgery – slowly but surely, it usually recovers on its own. However, you can always consult your doctor to see if there are remedies available, especially for a specific condition.

Prostate cancer – there are different ranges of treatment available, depending on the type, stage, and how aggressive the cancer is. It is usually treated with radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.

Psychological problems – in order to find out the root cause of any psychological issues relating to painful ejaculation, therapy is beneficial. The therapist may be able to find out and help you manage this issue.

Though it may be embarrassing to talk about problems in your ejaculation, painful ejaculation is a symptom that shouldn’t be just shrugged around. It’s an uncomfortable feeling that can definitely affect your sex life negatively. 

Remember that painful ejaculation is a real medical problem that needs to be addressed with proper treatment. Always check with your doctor if you ever feel any pain in your ejaculation or orgasms. If left untreated, it can get worse and can kill the joy of having sex.

Sources:

https://www.healthymale.org.au/mens-health/painful-ejaculation

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320470

https://www.healthline.com/health/mens-health/painful-ejaculation