Korean J Androl.  2004 Dec;22(3):146-150.

Effects of Alpha 1 Adrenoceptor Antagonist Tamsulosin on Sexual Function in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

• Park JK
• Kim CS
• Park CH
• Lee JG
• Chung BH
• Hong SJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
We evaluated the effectiveness of alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonist tamsulosin on erectile function in the treatment of the patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We recruited 268 patients who had BPH with lower urinary tract symptoms in the period of June 2003 to September 2003. The study utilized an open-label approach. Patients were evaluated by physical examination, transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), uroflowmetry, international prostatic symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) assessment, voiding diary for 3 days, brief international index of erectile function (IIEF)-7 score, and the global efficacy assessment questionnaire (GEAQ)-2. All evaluations were performed before medication, and again at 4 and 12 weeks of treatment. The patients suspected to have prostatic carcinoma based on the digital rectal examination and/or PSA level above 4 ng/ml underwent transrectal ultrasonography guided biopsy of the prostate. The patients found to have prostate cancer were not included in the study.
RESULTS
A total of 165 patients completed the study. Total IIEF scores did not change significantly. Question 10 of IIEF was significantly different between 4 and 12 weeks. There was a statistically significant difference in GEAQ-2 between 4 and 12 weeks of medication. Ejaculation volume decreased 14% and 22% at 4 and 12 weeks, respectively. However, orgasmic function significantly improved between 4 and 12 weeks.
CONCLUSIONS
In patients with BPH, tamsulosin therapy improved sexual and orgasmic function, although it decreased ejaculation volume. We need a longer follow-up period and more patients to establish the effects of tamsulosin on erectile function in the patients with BPH.

Keyword

Benign prostatic hyperplasia; Alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonist tamsulosin

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Digital Rectal Examination
Ejaculation
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Male
Orgasm
Physical Examination
Prostate
Prostate-Specific Antigen
Prostatic Hyperplasia*
Prostatic Neoplasms
Quality of Life
Surveys and Questionnaires
Ultrasonography
Prostate-Specific Antigen