Learn about the most appropriate medications for treating ED when you also have prostate issues like BPH.
Erectile Dysfunction and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia are two separate conditions that have different symptoms and causes. But, pretty often, men who have one of these conditions also have the other.
In one study, 36% of men with moderate BPH, and 94% of men with severe BPH also had coexisting erectile dysfunction.
Both ED and BPH are more common in men as they get older, and some treatments for BPH may come along with ED, which may explain part of why these conditions are related in a way.As it turns out, some of the medications commonly prescribed for ED may even help out with BPH symptoms.
Below, we will cover the ED medications that may be appropriate for men suffering from both conditions, why some BPH therapies can lead to ED, and where you can get started seeing if ED medications are a good choice for you.
The PDE-5 inhibitor medications may be appropriate for men who have BPH and are also experiencing ED symptoms.PDE-5 inhibitors are the most common ED medications and include the following drugs:
These medications work for ED by blocking the breakdown of cGMP, a chemical messenger that increases Nitric Oxide and blood flow to the penis by relaxing tissues and vessels. This chain of events makes it easier to maintain and achieve an erection, and these medications tend to work for about 70% of men with ED.
While these medications are effective for most men with ED, they are not always appropriate for everyone. These medications can cause vessels to dilate and may cause your blood pressure to go too low if you are also on other medications for blood pressure, like alpha-blockers for BPH.
If you have certain heart conditions, a previous history of heart attack or stroke, or are taking nitrate medications, PDE-5 inhibitors may not be a good fit for you. Speak with a doctor to see if treating your ED with a PDE-5 inhibitor is appropriate.
Another potential connection between ED and BPH is that the medications and treatments commonly used for BPH may come along with ED for some.
Alpha-blockers - Medications in this class like Terazosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin, Alfuzosin, and Silodosin may have sexual side effects including problems with ejaculation. However, the newer medications in this class, Alfuzosin & Terazosin, may have less of this sexual side effect than the older medications in this class. These medications help with BPH by relaxing the smooth muscle cells in the prostate and bladder to reduce urinary symptoms.
5-Alpha reductase inhibitors - Medications in this class for BPH include Finasteride 5mg tablets and Dutasteride 0.5mg capsules. These medications can reduce the DHT in your body and help shrink or slow the growth of your prostate, helping to reduce BPH symptoms. But, about 3% of men taking Dutasteride 0.5mg, and 6.4% of men taking Finasteride 5mg may experience a drop in libido. Other effects can include ED, and reduced sperm volume, movement, and count.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) - This surgical procedure is done to resect the prostate in order to reduce the pressure on the urethra and relieve urinary symptoms of BPH. This is an effective procedure for BPH, but around 5-10% of men who undergo this procedure begin to experience ED symptoms afterward.
As it turns out, some of these same first-line ED medications can help relieve BPH symptoms, too. For some men, this may be a way to help improve both ED and BPH symptoms with one pill, if it is appropriate for them.
ED medications are thought to help improve BPH symptoms by helping to relax the smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder, through the mechanism of increased cGMP.
While there is no FDA-approved indication for treating BPH with ED medications like Sildenafil or Tadalafil, if you have both conditions, your doctor may recommend you start on one to help with both issues. Depending on what else you are currently using for your BPH symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a PDE-5 inhibitor as an add-on therapy to your current regimen.
At Strut Health, we carry ED medications Sildenafil and Tadalafil, including Tadalafil for daily use.
If you are interested in seeing if an ED medication is a good fit for you, you can have a free online consultation with our U.S. licensed doctors today.
If you are a good candidate for treatment, your prescription can be shipped to your front door with our free shipping. If you have questions during treatment, our staff and doctors are available to you for free unlimited follow-ups.
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