[Ejaculatory profile: a pressure of 5 meters H2O at the level of the bladder neck during ejaculation].

INTRODUCTION

The existence of a pressure gradient in order to prevent retrograde ejaculation in men with no ejaculatory disorders has always been postulated, but without any scientific evidence.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The profile of the prostatic urethra was recorded during ejaculation in 5 men with no ejaculatory disorders using a 10 F balloon catheter with 16 pressure channels, situated in pairs every 5 mm, starting just below the balloon in the bladder neck and extending as far as the external urethral sphincter.

RESULTS

The pressure in the proximal part of the proximal urethra was 500 cm H2O in the five men, but this pressure did not exceed 400 cm H2O distally as far as the colliculus seminalis.

CONCLUSION

The authors present a new method for recording the urethral pressure profile during ejaculation (ejaculatory profile). This study provides a better understanding of the mechanisms of normal ejaculation and could be useful for the evaluation of disorders of ejaculation.