Prostatic massage: a simple method of semen retrieval in men with spinal cord injury

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prostatic massage (PM) as a method for obtaining semen in men with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to evaluate the semen parameters in the semen samples obtained by this method. Sixty-nine patients with SCI underwent PM as a trial for semen retrieval. History taking, examination and hormonal assay analysis (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin and testosterone) were performed in all patients. Patients were grouped as follows: group 'A' where sperm could be successfully retrieved by PM and group 'B' where no sperm could be retrieved. PM resulted in the production of prostatic secretion in 51 patients (73.9%) and no secretion was obtained in 18 patients. Spermatozoa were successfully retrieved in only 22 patients (31.9%). The semen analysis of the sperm-positive samples showed asthenoteratozoospermia with decreased vitality and increased number of leucocytes. Semen collection by PM was significantly higher in patients with an SCI level above T10. PM is a safe and simple outpatient clinic procedure that can be easily used to retrieve semen in men with SCI.