The Effect of Finasteride, Tamsulosin and Doxazosin Therapy on Sexual Function in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Choi, Woo Seok; Moon, Ki Hak

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on sexual function after finasteride, tamsulosin, doxazosin single or combination therapy according the sexual function state before these therapies.
Materials and Methods
This study included 192 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who had neither diabetes mellitus nor hypertension. All patients were classified into 2 groups according to their erectile dysfunction (ED) severity based on IIEF-5 before treatment; the above mild ED group (severe + moderate + mild to moderate) and mild or no ED group. The patients were assessed by IIEF inventory at the baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months after finasteride, tamsulosin, doxazosin single or combination therapies, respectively.
Results
In the above mild erectile dysfunction group the mean IIEF score was significantly decreased at 3 and 6 months with finasteride single therapy, at 6 months with finasteride-tamsulosin combination therapy and at 3 and 6 months with finasteride-doxazosin combination therapy (p<0.05). In the mild or no erectile dysfunction group the mean IIEF score did not change significantly with any of the medications.
Conclusions
Sexual function tended to decrease in the above mild ED group with finasteride single or combination therapy. Therefore, the patients in this group should be treated carefully at the beginning of these therapies.