OBJECTIVETo study the sexual function of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the effect of Tamsulosin.

METHODSOne hundred and ninety-two cases of BPH accompanied with typical LUTS were investigated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QOL), International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) and measuring the flow rate of urine before treatment. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, the treatment group (n = 103) given Tamsulosin 0.2 mg, and the control group (n = 89) taking placebo once a day for 8 weeks. The influence of various factors on sexual function was analyzed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThe mean scores of IPSS, QOL, Qmax and IIEF-5 were (20.20 +/- 6.81), (4.51 +/- 0.76), (9.60 +/- 8.79) ml/s and (9.80 +/- 8.62), respectively. The incidence of erectile dysfunction was 75% (144/192). There was statistically significant correlation between age and IPSS score (r = 0. 203, P < 0. 005) or IIEF-5 score (r = -0.571, P < 0.001) as well as between IPSS and IIEF-5 scores (r = - 0.312, P < 0.001). Various indexes were significantly improved after Tamsulosin treatment as compared with pre-treatment (P < 0.001) and placebo administration (P < 0.001), but no significant difference in various indexes was observed in the control group.

CONCLUSIONAge and LUTS are dangerous factors for sexual function, and the severity of LUTS is closely related to the development of sexual dysfunction. Tamsulosin can at once improve the sexual function and the lower urinary tract symptoms of the BPH patients.