¹Dow Division of Health Services Research, Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Correspondence: Dr JT Wei, Department of Urology, University of Michigan, 2301 Commonwealth Blvd, Rm 1021, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-2967, USA. E-mail: jtwei@umich.edu

Received 14 April 2009; Revised 19 May 2009; Accepted 20 May 2009; Published online 18 June 2009.

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the leading cause of lower urinary tract symptoms among the aging male population. Epidemiological, pathophysiological and clinical studies indicate that many of these men also suffer from declining sexual function, especially those undergoing treatment for their BPH-related urinary symptoms. Although urinary symptoms and quality of life may improve with BPH therapy, the resulting effects on sexual function vary by medical, surgical and minimally invasive approaches and have not been consistently reported. As comprehensive, validated instruments to measure male sexual function are now available for routine use in the clinical setting, urologists and primary care providers caring for patients with BPH have the opportunity to monitor both urinary and sexual function before, during and after BPH therapy. Herein, we describe the relationship between BPH and its treatments on male sexual function, the role of new measures for sexual functioning and opportunities for future work to improve the care of men suffering from both maladies.