Effect of selective alpha-blocker tamsulosin on erectile function in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia

Objective: To study the effect selective of α-blocker (tamsulosin HCl) on erectile function in married male patients who are suspected to have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and Methods: Our study was a prospective randomized single blinded study in one-to-one fashion conducted upon 60 patients, all of them married, between May 2010 and May 2011, the patients under the study were attending the outpatient clinic of the New Kasr Al-Aini Teaching Hospital and Students Hospital, Cairo University, complaining of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) either obstructive, irritative, or both and erectile dysfunction (ED). History was taken from all patients; all patients were examined by digital rectal examination and abdominal examination. We performed pelvic ultrasound, serum prostatic-specific antigen (PSA) measurements, other routine investigations, and uroflowmetry. Assessment of sexual function changes was by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and penile Doppler ultrasound. Results: In the tamsulosin group, a significant statistical improvement was detected in the erectile function score and intercourse satisfaction score with significant improvement in total IIEF beside the improvement in the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS). Although orgasmic function score showed significant worsening. Conclusion: Tamsulosin HCl capsules showed a significant statistical improvement in the erectile function, sexual desire, and intercourse satisfaction score with significant improvement in total IIEF in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms because of benign prostatic hyperplasia. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.