Impact of alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and combination therapy on sexual function

Four years of real-world sexual function outcomes after Rezum therapy in men with and without baseline erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Rezum alleviates lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) while preserving sexual function, but long-term sexual function outcomes are lacking in patients with baseline erectile dysfunction (ED).

AIM

The study sought to analyze 4 years of real-world sexual function outcomes of Rezum using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, stratified by baseline ED status.

METHODS

Participants included multiethnic Rezum-treated patients from a single outpatient office. IIEF domains and BPH medication usage were compared at baseline and 6, 12, and 48 months using t tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square tests, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

OUTCOMES

Primary outcomes over 4 years included the IIEF functional domains (erectile function [EF], orgasmic function [OF], sexual desire [SD], intercourse satisfaction [IS], overall satisfaction [OS]) and BPH medication usage.

RESULTS

A total of 91 patients were included: 40 (44%) in the ED cohort and 51 (56%) in the no ED cohort. History of diabetes was more prevalent in the ED cohort (35% vs 15.7%; P = .048). Baseline scores in the EF, OF, IS, and OS domains were lower in the ED cohort. Compared with baseline, there were no significant changes in any IIEF domains in either cohort at 6 months. At 12 months, the ED cohort had significant percent decreases in OF (-25%; P = .02), SD (-22.2%; P = .04), and OS (-33.3%; P = .004); the no ED cohort had a significant percent increase in EF (5%; P = .04). At 48 months, the no ED cohort had no significant changes in any IIEF domains, while the ED cohort had significant percent increases in EF (30%; P = .01), SD (22.5%; P = .02), IS (20%; P = .01), and OS (58.3%; P = .008). Both cohorts significantly discontinued BPH medications at all follow-ups. At 48 months, there were no cases of de novo ED in the no ED cohort.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

As modern BPH therapies continue to demonstrate efficacy in alleviating lower urinary tract symptoms, the preservation or improvement of sexual function emerges as an increasingly important consideration for patients, with our study suggesting Rezum as a compelling option.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Our study has the strength of long-term Rezum outcomes in an ethnically diverse patient population, stratified by the presence of baseline ED, but is limited by retrospective design, single-center nature, and small sample sizes at long-term follow-ups.

CONCLUSION

Rezum preserved long-term sexual function in patients without baseline ED and improved sexual function in those with baseline ED; however, individuals with ED may experience temporary decreases in sexual function at 12 months.

Tadalafil versus tamsulosin as combination therapy with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary and sexual outcomes

PURPOSE

To compare the urological and sexual outcomes of using either tamsulosin/finateride or tadalafil/finasteride as combination therapies in patients with large prostate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Selection criteria included prostate volume > 40 ml and IPSS > 7. Patients with severe erectile dysfunction (IIEF-erectile functions ≤ 10) were excluded. Patients were randomized into group I (tamsulosin/finasteride) and group II (tadalafil/finasteride). The primary endpoint was to define urinary and sexual function changes (IPSS, IPSS-quality of life, urinary flow rates and IIEF domains) within each group. The secondary endpoint was to compare the treatment induced changes between both groups.

RESULTS

At 4th and 12th weeks, 131 and 127 patients were available in both groups, respectively. Both groups showed significant LUTS improvement (IPSS changes: - 4.9 ± 2.7 and - 4.3 ± 2.9 at 4th week and - 6.1 ± 3 and - 5.4 ± 2.8 points by the 12th week in both groups, respectively). Group I had better average flow rates at both follow-up visits. Meanwhile, maximum flow rates were comparable in both groups at 12th week (13.5 ± 3.9vs. 12.6 ± 3.7, p > 0.05). In group I, all IIEF domains were significantly lowered at both visits (p < 0.05). Group II showed significant increase in IIEF-erectile function scores (1.3 ± 1.1 and 1.8 ± 1.2 at the 4th and 12th weeks) with a transient significant reduction of IIEF-orgasm and sexual desire noted only by the 4th week (- 0.8 ± 0.4 and - 0.6 ± 0.4, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Within three months, both combinations are comparably effective in improving BPH related LUTS. Tamsulosin/finasteride provided significantly better Qmax only at 4th week. Tadalafil/finasteride had the advantage of improving sexual performance over the other combination.

Preservation of Sexual Function 5 Years After Water Vapor Thermal Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Background

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) are known outcomes of traditional surgery and some pharmacotherapies for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Minimally invasive treatment options, including water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT), are now available to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH.

Aim

The objective of this analysis was to evaluate long-term impact of a single water vapor thermal therapy procedure on erectile and ejaculatory function in subjects enrolled in the Rezum II prospective, multicenter, randomized, blinded controlled trial.

Methods

Fifteen centers enrolled 197 subjects with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥ 13, maximum flow rate (Qmax) ≤ 15 mL/s, and prostate volume 30–80 cc. Subjects were randomized (2:1) to (WVTT) or sham procedure (control) and followed for 5 years. Erectile and ejaculatory functions were quantitatively assessed at baseline and yearly thereafter. After 3 months, control subjects could opt to requalify for cross-over to WVTT and were followed for 5 years. Results of the per protocol analysis were reported previously. The current post hoc analysis was performed on all treated subjects who were sexually active at baseline with no other surgical or medical management for BPH during the 5-year study period.

Outcomes

LUTS was evaluated using IPSS, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BPHII), and Qmax. Sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Dysfunction (MSHQ-EjD).

Results

A total of 197 subjects (136 treated, 61 control) were enrolled in the study, and 53 control subjects opted to cross-over and receive WVTT. All subgroups experienced significant, durable improvement in IPSS (P < .0001). Subjects with normal sexual function at baseline had little change in function over 5 years (IIEF-EF: −2.4 ± 8.9, P = .1414; MSHQ-EjD Function: −1.6 ± 3.2, P = .0083; MSHQ-EjD Bother: −0.5 ± 1.6, P = .1107). Subjects with baseline medical history of ED and EjD showed slight decline over time that was not clinically significant (ED, IIEF-EF: −3.0 ± 10.1, P = .1259; MSHQ EjD Function: −2.3 ± 4.7, P = .0158; MSHQ-EjD Bother: −0.1 ± 2.6, P = .7764; EjD, IIEF-EF: −4.1 ± 9.2, P = .0127; MSHQ EjD Function: −1.6 ± 4.8, P = .1970; MSHQ-EjD Bother: −0.4 ± 2.6, P = .440).

Clinical Implications

Treatment for BPH with Rezum durably improved IPSS without clinically significant impact on sexual function. Patients with baseline ED/EjD may expect continued decline from other causes but are unimpacted by the therapy.

Strengths & Limitations, Conclusion

The results are limited by the post-hoc nature of the analysis and attrition over the 5-year follow-up but provide long-term evidence of durable outcomes after treatment with Rezum without impact on sexual function scores. McVary KT, El-Arabi A, Roehrborn C. Preservation of Sexual Function 5 Years After Water Vapor Thermal Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Sex Med 2021;9:100454.

Focus on Silodosin: Pros and Cons of Uroselectivity

Medical management of lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic obstruction engages healthcare professionals worldwide. Currently, alpha-1 adrenergic antagonists are strongly recommended as first-line therapy for patients with moderate to severe symptoms because of their safety, efficacy and good tolerability. These agents are highly heterogeneous in terms of pharmacological selectivity for the adrenergic receptor subtypes with silodosin being the agent characterized by the highest α_1A/α_1B affinity ratio. This property has been proposed to confer to silodosin advantages in terms of bladder outlet obstruction improvement and lower incidence of cardiovascular side effects at the cost of a higher incidence of ejaculatory dysfunction. These aspects should be carefully taken in consideration when personalizing medical therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic obstruction.

Sexual concerns after Spinal Cord Injury: An update on management

BACKGROUND

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) causes neurological impairment with resultant neurogenic sexual dysfunction which can compound preexisting psychological and medical sexual concerns. Understanding these concerns is important in managing the lifelong needs of persons with SCIs.

OBJECTIVES

To provide an overview of the impact of SCI on sexuality along with a framework for treatment of sexual concerns. To briefly review male infertility and its treatments and pregnancy in females after SCI.

METHODS

Interdisciplinary literature review and synthesis of information.

RESULTS

The average age at SCI is increased, thus persons with SCIs may have preexisting sexual concerns. Sexual activity and satisfaction are decreased after SCI. Psychogenic sexual arousal is related to remaining sensation in the T11-L2 dermatomes. Orgasm occurs in approximately 50% of persons with SCIs with all injuries except subjects with complete lower motor neuron (LMN) injuries affecting the lowest sacral segments A structured approach to treatment including assessing preinjury function, determining the impact of injury, education, assessing and treating iatrogenic sexual dysfunction and treatment of concomitant problems is recommended. Basic and advanced methods to improve sexual arousal and orgasm are discussed and treatment of anejaculation and issues associated with pregnancy and SCI are reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual satisfaction is impaired after SCI; however, education and new therapies can improve responsiveness. Future research is warranted to improve sexual function and fertility potential in persons with SCIs.

Is There a Role for Preoperative 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors in Reducing Prostate Vascularity and Blood Loss?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the related medical problems are a major burden as health care costs and as a cause of patient morbidity. The introduction of medical therapy largely offered an alternative to surgical therapy, and these medications have been linked with multiple positive BPH-related outcomes. With ubiquitous use, however, a variety of adverse side effects and unsupported claims to these medications have been reported both in scientific literature and popular press. The use of 5 alpha reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) to reduce recurrent bleeding due to BPH is a reasonable option for men with recurrent trips to the physician or hospital. After a largely anecdotal report of their use in the preoperative period to reduce bleeding during BPH surgery, there was interest in the use of 5ARIs for this indication considering the effusive bleeding that can occur during BPH-related surgery, a dreaded and not uncommon complication. While the pathophysiology for the use of 5ARI to reduce BPH-related bleeding is sound, the actual clinical outcomes still require scrutiny to determine if the efficacy is both scientifically valid and clinically significant. This report will review the current literature on this topic and make attempts to determine if the use of a 5ARI before BPH-related surgery should be encouraged.

Sexual Side Effects of Medical and Surgical Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatments

Treatments for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia can be evaluated by multiple metrics. A balance within the confines of patient expectations is key to determining the ideal treatment. A troubling adverse event for some patients is sexual dysfunction. Because the cohort of men who seek treatment of sexual dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms is essentially identical, these disease processes frequently overlap. This article considers potential pathophysiologic causes of dysfunction with treatment and attempts to critically review the available data to assess the true incidence of sexual adverse events with treatment.

The Effect of LUTS/BPH and Treatments on Ejaculatory Function

As men age, there is an increased incidence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), often from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which can adversely affect sexual function. There are many different treatments for these symptoms; however, many of the treatments also affect sexual quality of life, specifically in the realm of ejaculation. Our paper will review the medications, surgical procedures, minimally invasive procedures, and even investigational procedures used to treat LUTS/BPH and the effect they have on ejaculation. The aim of this paper is to help practitioners counsel patients more effectively on treatment options when ejaculation is a concern.