Ejaculatory Duct Obstruction (EDO) is a serious condition that can affect a man’s fertility. It occurs when the ducts that carry semen from the testicles to the urethra become blocked or narrowed. This condition can be congenital or acquired.
In some cases, home remedies may be able to alleviate symptoms and reduce the severity of the obstruction. However, medical treatment is often necessary to correct the underlying cause.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
If you are having trouble conceiving, you may have an ejaculatory duct obstruction or EDO. The condition prevents the seminal fluid from reaching the urethra and being expelled during ejaculation, which can lead to pelvic pain, decreased sperm production and infertility. A doctor can detect EDO by performing a physical exam and medical history review. A semen analysis and a transrectal ultrasound can also help diagnose the condition.
If the results of your semen analysis indicate low sperm counts or no sperm at all, it’s important to see a health care provider to get the blockage treated. Some home remedies are helpful, but more serious treatments like surgery and medication are needed to cure the condition. Practicing safe sex and taking preventive measures, such as eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated, can lower your risk of ejaculatory duct obstruction.
Some foods have been shown to improve sperm count, including fish, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Milk is another good source of nutrients, but it shouldn’t be eaten in large quantities because high-fat dairy products can interfere with sperm motility. Limiting the amount of red meat you eat may also increase sperm count. Foods with pesticides should be avoided because the chemicals can act as xenoestrogens, which mimic the hormone estrogen in the body and reduce sperm count.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
A sperm has to travel through more than 12 miles of pipes before it leaves the testicles. It’s no surprise that sometimes, these pipes get blocked, causing ejaculatory duct obstruction (EDO). If your doctor diagnoses you with EDO, he or she will likely recommend minor surgery or antibiotics to treat the cause of the problem. Infections that lead to ejaculatory duct obstruction include chronic prostatitis and epididymitis, as well as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or neoplasm) and pituitary tumors. A hormone imbalance called hyperprolactinemia, wherein the pituitary gland makes too much of the prolactin hormone, can also lead to ejaculatory duct blockage.
A doctor can diagnose ejaculatory duct obstruction through a physical exam, semen analysis, and imaging tests. Symptoms include pain during ejaculation, blood in the semen, and decreased ejaculate volume. In some cases, the condition may not cause any symptoms at all.
Medication is the first line of treatment for ejaculatory duct obstruction. Alpha-blockers help relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, easing pressure on the ejaculatory ducts. If medication doesn’t work, surgery to remove the obstructed portion of the ejaculatory duct is required. Home remedies can help ease the symptoms of the condition, including dietary changes and herbal supplements. Herbs such as saw palmetto, pygeum, and stinging nettle can be taken in pill form or brewed into a tea.
3. Take an Ephedra Supplement
Ejaculatory Duct Obstruction is a condition that affects men and can cause infertility. It occurs when the ducts that carry semen from the testicles to the urethra become blocked or narrowed. It can be caused by infections, inflammation, and other medical conditions.
Symptoms of this condition include pain or discomfort during ejaculation, blood in the semen, and a reduction in sexual desire. A doctor can diagnose the condition by performing a physical exam and ordering tests such as a semen analysis or an ultrasound.
There are several home remedies that can help relieve the symptoms of ejaculatory duct obstruction. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can reduce pain or discomfort during ejaculation. In addition, drinking plenty of water can help flush out the ducts and improve flow. Using a warm compress on the genital area can also relieve pain and reduce swelling.
A doctor can also prescribe medications to treat the underlying cause of the condition. Antibiotics can treat any infections that may be causing the blockage. In addition, surgery can be used to remove the obstructed duct. This procedure is called transurethral resection of the ejaculatory duct (TURED). It is a simple outpatient procedure performed with instruments inserted through the penis. A dye can be injected into the seminal vesicles to visualize the obstructed duct and allow it to be removed and reconnected.
4. Massage Your Testicles
A blocked sperm duct can cause ejaculatory problems, a condition that prevents semen from leaving the testicles and entering the urethra. It can also lead to low sperm production and infertility. A blocked sperm duct can be caused by an infection, injury or congenital abnormality. If a man has a blockage, he should seek medical treatment immediately. Home remedies may help relieve symptoms of the blockage, but they cannot fix the underlying problem.
The male reproductive system makes sperm in the 2 testicles, which are located in the scrotum, a sac of skin below your penis. When sperm are ready to leave the testicles, they enter a tube behind each testicle called the epididymis. The epididymis is a thin-walled, tightly coiled duct that is longer than your arm. Once it uncoils, it becomes the vas deferens, a thick tube that runs from the testis to the prostate and seminal vesicles.
Symptoms of an ejaculatory duct obstruction include pain during ejaculation and blood in the semen. A sperm duct obstruction can be congenital, meaning it was present at birth, or acquired, which means that it develops later in life.
One of the best ways to treat a sperm duct obstruction is to massage the scrotum and the epididymis. The massage should be gentle and should focus on the area around the ducts and the tubes.
