Barqawi AB et al. (2007) The effect of α-blocker and 5 α-reductase inhibitor intake on sexual health in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. BJU Int 100: 853–857

Many men aged >40 years seek medical advice about lower urinary tract symptoms that lead to erectile dysfunction, a decline in sexual activity and a reduction in quality of life. In the majority of cases, such symptoms are caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The accepted treatment for BPH is moving away from transurethral prostatic resection to drug-based treatments using α-blockers such as tamsulosin, which treat BPH by specific action on the α-adrenergic receptors in the prostate. Little is known about the effects of these prescribed drugs on sexual health and quality of life. To find out more, Barqawi et al. have studied sexual performance in a large group of men attending a national screening programme.

A total of 7,974 men with BPH were identified from the Prostate Cancer Educational Council national database. Of this total, 234 were taking tamsulosin, 291 were taking other prescription medications for BPH and 7,449 were not taking any medication. The men taking tamsulosin, even those with more severe lower urinary tract symptoms, had a significantly higher Sexual Health Inventory for Men scores compared with the other two groups. The authors conclude that men taking this α-blocker for BPH seem to be at an advantage over men taking other α-blockers with respect to their sexual health. They recommend randomized crossover clinical trials to confirm the possible advantage of α-blockers.