Korean J Urol.  2011 Sep;52(9):632-636.

Changes in Sexual Function in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients Taking Dutasteride: 1-Year Follow-Up Results

• Chi BH
• Kim SC

Abstract

PURPOSE
Sexual adverse events (AEs), a major cause for discontinuing 5alpha-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), are known to occur most frequently early in therapy and appear to decline over time. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in sexual function occurring with dutasteride treatment during a 1-year follow-up period in Korean men.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Using the International Index of Erectile Function, we prospectively evaluated, after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment, the changes in sexual function of 55 outpatients (mean age 62.3+/-7.2 years) with BPH (mean volume 48.9+/-16.0 g) who had relatively good erectile function (EF) and were treated with dutasteride for at least 1 year.
RESULTS
EF scores showed the most significant decrease at 1 month (p<0.01). Function gradually recovered thereafter but was still significantly decreased after 12 months of treatment (p<0.05). The scores for orgasmic function and sexual desire also showed the most significant reduction at 1 month but were restored to the baseline level at 6 months. No significant correlation was observed between changes in sexual function and prostate-specific antigen level, prostate volume, or International Prostate Symptom Scores.
CONCLUSIONS
After 1 month of treatment, dutasteride therapy resulted in a significant reduction in all investigated sexual functions. Overall, recovery in sexual function was noted at 3 months, and orgasmic function and sexual desire were restored to baseline levels at 6 months. However, EF was still significantly reduced at 12 months.

Keyword

Dutasteride; Erectile dysfunction; Prostatic hyperplasia

MeSH Terms

Azasteroids
Erectile Dysfunction
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Orgasm
Outpatients
Prospective Studies
Prostate
Prostate-Specific Antigen
Prostatic Hyperplasia
Dutasteride
Azasteroids
Prostate-Specific Antigen

Figure

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  FIG. 1 Changes in International Index of Erectile Functionerectile function score during 12 months of treatment.

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  FIG. 2 Percentile of patients with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction (ED) during 12 months of treatment according to International Index of Erectile Function-erectile function score.

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