Once fertilization occurs, the embryo is then transferred into the woman’s uterus. In this case, IVF/ICSI are used to carefully inject selected individual sperm in the female partner’s retrieved egg. As was explained above, some men with spinal cord injury have poor sperm quality, and despite being able to collect ejaculated sperm, may not be candidates for IUI.If enough sperm are able to be collected in the ejaculate, they are washed and processed by the IVF lab and can be used for IUI.Because of this, patients are premedicated to adjust the pH of their urine so that sperm can survive in the bladder. The ejaculate is collected from the urethra as well as the bladder, as frequently retrograde ejaculation into the bladder occurs.Using increasing frequency and amplitude of energy, ejaculation is stimulated. An electric probe or electroejaculator is inserted into the rectum and positioned against the prostate.Once fertilization occurs, the embryo is then transferred into the woman’s uterus.Įlectroejaculation is another technique that can be used to stimulate ejaculation in men with spinal cord injury who are not responsive to penile vibratory stimulation.
In this case, in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) are used to carefully inject selected individual sperm in the female partner’s retrieved egg.
Men with spinal cord injury can frequently achieve erection and have sexual intercourse, however the percentage who can successfully ejaculate is very low.