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It is the goal of our staff to provide you with the latest
women's healthcare innovations to address infertility and
coexisting gynecologic problems. Backed by a superb laboratory
team, CRH has enabled thousands of couples to conceive.
Contact us to schedule
an appointment or have additional questions about infertility
treatment at CRH. |
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Anejaculation - PVS and
EEJ
Penile Vibratory
Stimulation (PVS)
Even though the majority of men with
spinal cord injuries can achieve erections and have sexual
intercourse, the percentage who can successfully ejaculate is very
low. We can help these men achieve ejaculation using Penile Vibratory
Stimulation (PVS).
How does PVS work?
The complication rate of PVS is very low,
although mild skin abrasions and swelling may occur. Patients should
be monitored for autonomic dysreflexia, the sudden onset of high blood
pressure.
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PVS is an office procedure that requires
no anesthetic or sedation.
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A custom-designed mechanical vibrator is
placed at either the base or glands of the penis and set to vibrate at
designated frequency and wave amplitude.
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Vibration travels along the sensory nerves
to the spinal cord and induces a reflex ejaculation. Of note most
store-bought vibrators are not effective in producing ejaculation in
patients with spinal cord injury. This technique only works in
patients with an intact ejaculatory reflex arc and the results are
dependent on the level of spinal cord injury.
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If enough high-quality sperm are recovered
from the semen, they can be washed in our laboratory and used in
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), a process where prepared sperm are
injected using a small tube or catheter directly into the uterus to
achieve egg fertilization.
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In general, the quality of sperm in men
with spinal cord injuries is poor. If a dismal number or quality of
sperm is recovered in the semen, the recovered sperm can still be used
with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Using Intracytoplasmic Sperm
Injection (ICSI), a single sperm, processed in our laboratory, is
injected directly into an oocyte (egg) to fertilize it. Once
fertilized, the developing embryo is implanted into the uterus.
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Electroejaculation
(EEJ)
Men with ejaculatory failure due to nerve
damage caused by spinal injury, and occasionally by other conditions,
can produce sperm by electrical stimulation of the ejaculatory ducts
internally. Though sperm quality is often poor due to remaining too
long in the body, the sperm are usually suitable for ICSI treatment.
EEJ is a method that can be used to stimulate ejaculation in men with
spinal cord injuries.
How does electroejaculation work?
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In
electroejaculation, an electric probe, or electroejaculator, is
inserted into the rectum near the prostate to stimulate the nerves and
contract the pelvis muscles, causing ejaculation.
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Ejaculate is
collected from the urethra, and processed in the laboratory to
determine sperm quality.
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If enough
high-quality sperm are recovered from the semen, they can be washed in
our laboratory and used in Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), a process
where, using a small tube or catheter, prepared sperm is injected
directly into the uterus to achieve egg fertilization.
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If a lower
number or lower quality of sperm are recovered in the semen, it can
still be used with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). Using
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), a single sperm, processed in
our laboratory, is injected directly into an oocyte (egg) to fertilize
it. Once fertilized, the developing embryo is implanted into the
uterus.
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Electroejaculation must be performed under
satisfactory anesthesia in men with spinal cord injuries with
sensation in or below the abdomen. A complete urologic examination
must be performed prior to the procedure to detect and treat any
urinary tract infections.
Often during this procedure retrograde
ejaculation occurs, which is a backwards ejaculation into the bladder,
and sperm must be collected from the urine. Men with SCI with a
history of autonomic dysreflexia, or the sudden onset of high blood
pressure, must be carefully monitored, as electroejaculation can cause
a significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate. These
individuals may benefit from prophylactic treatment with nifedipine or
phenoxybenzamine.
To make an
appointment, please call us TODAY at
615-321-8899.
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