Retrograde Ejaculation: A Rare Presenting Symptom of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

• Main Authors: Jonathan Kam, Venessa H. Tsang, Venu Chalasani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2017-01-01
• Series: Urology Case Reports
• Subjects: Sexual dysfunction; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic autonomic neuropathy; Retrograde ejaculation
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214442016301759

A 19 year old presented with a progressive decline in ejaculate volume over 2 weeks, followed by a complete absence of ejaculate emission. A post-ejaculatory urine specimen demonstrated spermatozoa confirming a diagnosis of retrograde ejaculation. Investigations revealed a raised blood glucose level of 24.5 mmol/L and HbA1c >15%, with positive tests for anti-GAD antibodies and anti-IA2 antibodies consistent with a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Retrograde ejaculation in diabetes is associated with autonomic neuropathy and is a late feature of the disease. This case is unique with retrograde ejaculation being the primary presenting symptom of Type 1 diabetes mellitus.