Electroejaculation

Men who are unable to ejaculate and/or do not respond to penile vibratory stimulation are considered for electroejaculation (EEJ). In this procedure, current is delivered through a probe that stimulates the nerves that lead to the emission of semen. EEJ is currently recommended for those who fail PVS, because EEJ is more invasive and requires general anesthesia for men with intact pelvic sensation.

About The Surgery

The procedure is performed by first placing a catheter into your bladder and draining your urine. Next, the bladder is washed with a fluid that is favorable to sperm in the event that the sperm flows backwards into your bladder with ejaculation. A probe is placed in the rectum and an electrical charge is generated to stimulate the nerves that lead to the emission of semen. Sometimes, ejaculate is able to be collected in specimen cub, while other times, the ejaculate must be collected by using a catheter to drain the fluid from the bladder. The specimens are evaluated under a microscope for the presence of no sperm. If there is no sperm able to be produced with the electroejaculation, you may then undergo a testicular biopsy to collect sperm, depending on prior discussion with your physician.

See more information on electroejaculation.

Before Surgery

You may need to have an evaluation before surgery at UF Health Shands Hospital on the 1st floor. The evaluation is made up of a physical exam, chest X-ray, blood tests, urine tests, an Electrocardiogram and other tests necessary for your health and safety before surgery. At the time, you will be able to ask questions about your medications and hospital care. You will be told about which medications you should take and which you should not take before surgery. Please bring your medications in their original bottles to the before surgery evaluation.

If you take medications that cause clotting of the blood such as Coumadin, Plavix, Aspirin, Vitamin E, fish oil, or any NSAID (i.e.: Motrin®, Aleve®, Advil®, ibuprofen), these medications should be reported to your doctor and the person giving you medications. For your safety, these types of medication should not be taken for a least a week before surgery.

The day before your surgery, you may eat a light breakfast (no later than 11 a.m.). After breakfast, begin drinking clear liquids (Sprite®, 7up®, ginger ale, apple juice, tea, Jell-O®, ice pops, Gatorade®, chicken or beef broth) for the rest of the day then nothing by mouth after midnight.

*Important* Be sure to conduct your bowel prep routine in the usual fashion before the procedure. Starting at least 1 day before the procedure, you should begin taking your urinary tract supplement (usually potassium citrate) to alkalinize the urinary tract to prepare it for sperm. You will continue this through the day of the procedure.

To find out what time you need to be at UF Health on the day of your surgery call (352) 265-0023 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. the day before surgery.

The Day of Surgery

On the day of surgery, you will get to UF Health at the time you were told. The check-in area is on the 1st floor at the Ambulatory Surgery Check-In desk. You will be taken to the before surgery holding area next to the operating room.

Once you are taken into the operating room and the surgery starts, the family can call from the Surgery waiting area on the first floor and get updates from the operating room every 1-2 hours. Your family members must be prepared to wait.

The surgery itself takes about 1 hour. However, it takes at least 1-2 hours to get you ready for the surgery, and you will spend anywhere from 1-2 hours after surgery in the recovery room.

After surgery, the doctor or a member of the surgery team will talk to your family either in person or by phone. At least one family member should stay in the Surgery Waiting Area on the first floor at all times for the entire surgery so that your doctor can locate them and give them an update on your condition once the surgery is over. If none of your family members are in the waiting area then your doctor will not know where to find them.

Care You Should Perform at Home If You Have a Scrotal Incision

• Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes every hour for the first 24 hours. This will prevent swelling and decrease pain
• Wear snug underwear or athletic supporter for a at least one week
• Shower daily starting 48 hours after surgery then dry the area completely
• No hard/strenuous physical activity until your post-operative check 2 weeks after surgery.

Medications Following Surgery

• You may be prescribed a stronger medication such as a narcotic for severe pain but use ibuprofen or naproxen for mild to moderate pain
• A non-narcotic approach is ideal and proven to provide excellent pain relief along with practical measures such as supportive underwear and intermittent icing).
• If you feel that your pain is poorly controlled despite practical measures and your prescribed medications, please call our office to discuss the next steps.
• Begin taking an over the counter stool softener and stay well hydrated.
• You will be prescribed an antibiotic to begin taking the day after surgery. Complete the prescribed course (usually 3-5 days).

Recovery Following Surgery

• Please take your medications as prescribed, whether it be your as needed pain medication or your scheduled antibiotics. You are anticipated to have discomfort following your surgery; however, we want you to have a speedy recovery and not be limited by pain.
• If you had a scrotal incision, you may notice some swelling in the scrotum as well as black and blue bruising in the surgical areas. This is common and no reason to worry. If the swelling continues or you have new onset discomfort different from shortly after surgery, call the office to discuss with our staff.
• Do not take any baths or submerge your incision under water until the skin edges have completely healed (at least 1 week). You may shower 48 hours after surgery and let warm, soapy water run over the area. Pat the area with a towel or drip dry, but do not scrub the incision site.
• Your incision is closed with stitches under the skin a medical super glue on the skin. Both are dissolvable and will flake off on its own over a week or two. Don’t pull or tug at the glue or stitches since this can cause your incision to open.
• Wear supportive underwear for comfort. This takes tension off your testicles and can assist with scrotal discomfort.
• You may use ice packs on and off every 20 minutes as needed for the first few days to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for the first 2 weeks following surgery. You may return to work as previously instructed.
• Abstain from all sexual activity including masturbation until you are seen for your postop follow- up.

Your Follow-Up Visit

Your first appointment with your surgeon will be about two weeks after your surgery.

When to Call Your Health Care Provider

Call your doctor if you have:

• Trouble urinating or cannot urinate
• A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Pain that gets worse or does not improve with medication
• Uncontrolled nausea and vomiting
• Pain or swelling in your legs
• Chills and body shakes
• Active bleeding, increased redness or drainage, or unusual swelling in the area of the incision
• Any allergic reaction to your prescribed medication.

During work hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday – Friday) call: UF Health Urology Clinic at 352-265-8240.

AFTER HOURS OR WEEKENDS: Call UF Health Shands operator at 352-265-0111 and ask the operator for the urology resident on-call.