Although BPH itself does not cause sexual dysfunction, many of the treatments for BPH can have a profound impact on your sexual health. Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of some of the medications used to treat BPH; it can also be a common side effect of some of the BPH procedures with the exception of the UroLift System, which has been shown not to cause new or lasting erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction.¹ Your urologist can help you balance treatment of BPH symptoms with quality of life in keeping with your goals. They can help you make an informed decision regarding the best course of action to preserve your sexual health and get maximum relief from your symptoms.

Sexual Dysfunction and BPH Medication

Ejaculatory dysfunction is one of the more common adverse events that have been reported with alpha blockers such as tamsulosin (Flomax^®), doxazosin (Cardura^®) and terazosin (Hytrin^®). These medications can also lead to erectile dysfunction and reduced libido. These sexual side effects can also occur with 5ARIs, which is the other class of prescribed BPH medications. These include finasteride (Proscar^®) and dutasteride (Avodart^®).²

Sexual Dysfunction and BPH Procedures

Traditional BPH surgeries such as TURP and Laser Vaporization are effective in reducing urinary symptoms. Unfortunately, sexual side effects sometimes occur with these surgeries. Studies have reported 7% to10% of patients suffer erectile dysfunction and 42% to 65% of patients experience ejaculatory dysfunction after these surgeries.²

Thermal therapies have fewer sexual side effects than traditional BPH surgeries; however, studies have shown risk of ejaculatory dysfunction with Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT) and Rezum^® Water Vapor Therapy.²

The UroLift^® System is currently the only leading BPH procedure shown to preserve sexual function.* It does not require heating, cutting, removal or destruction of prostate tissue. This tissue-sparing approach has been suggested as the reason for sexual function preservation.³ In fact, in a retrospective study comparing the UroLift System versus mono- and combination drug therapy, only the UroLift System was shown to significantly improve patients’ overall satisfaction with their sex life.⁴

*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction in the LIFT pivotal study.

As with any medical procedure, individual results may vary. Speak with your urologist to see if the UroLift System treatment is right for you. Most common side effects are temporary and include painful urination, blood in the urine, pelvic pain, urinary urgency and/or the inability to control the urge. Rare side effects, including bleeding and infection, may lead to serious outcomes and may require intervention. Most symptoms typically resolve within two to four weeks after the procedure.³

If you’re looking to preserve sexual function while managing your BPH, learn more about the UroLift System.