Alpha1-adrenergic blockers therapy and sexual function


DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/urology.2020.5.82-86

A.A. Shiryaev, A.V. Govorov, A.O. Vasilyev, D.Yu. Pushkar

1Department of Urology of the Moscow State Medical-Dental University named after A.I. Evdokimov, Moscow, Russia; 2Municipal clinical hospital named after S.I. Spasokukotskiy of the Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, Russia; 3Research Institute for Healthcare Organization and Medical Management, Moscow, Russia
An increase in life expectancy and the number of older and elderly men, an improvement in the quality of medical care and socio-economic factors in most countries contributed to an increase in the number of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Currently, improvement of the quality of life is the mainstay of strategy for managing patients with BPH, as well as prevention of complications and the need for surgery. In this regard, the pharmacotherapy with α1-adrenergic blockers (α1-AB) is widely used as an effective method for improving lower urinary tract symptoms and reducing the risk of BPH progression. Given that the quality of life is becoming increasingly important in evaluating the efficiency of BPH treatment, including therapy in elderly patients, it is necessary to take into account its effect on sexual function, when choosing a particular drug. The use of α1-AB can be accompanied by side effects manifested by various sexual disorders. Alfuzosin does not adversely affect sexual function in men with BPH, may improve erectile and ejaculatory function and should be considered as the drug of choice, especially in sexually active men and patients who already suffer from worsening ejaculatory function while using another α1-AB.
Keywords: benign prostatic hyperplasia, α1-adrenergic blockers, sexual dysfunction, alfuzosin

About the Autors


Corresponding author: Shiryaev A.A. – Ph.D. student, Department of Urology of the Moscow State Medical-Dental University named after A.I. Evdokimov, Moscow, Russia; e-mail: phd.shiryaev@gmail.com


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