Re: Finasteride, Not Tamsulosin, Increases Severity of Erectile Dysfunction and Decreases Testosterone Levels in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Effect of α-receptor blockers on lower urinary tract symptoms, sexual function and quality of life in young and middle-aged men with benign prostatic hyperplasia

The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of two common α₁-receptor blockers, alfuzosin and tamsulosin, on lower urinary tract symptoms, sexual function, and quality of life in young and middle-aged people with benign prostatic hyperplasia. We recruited 80 young and middle-aged patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and divided them into two groups that received either the non-selective α₁-receptor blocker alfuzosin or the selective α_1A-receptor blocker tamsulosin for 18 consecutive days. After intervention, maximum urinary flow, bladder compliance, maximum detrusor pressure, maximum urethral pressure, 72 h urination frequency and urination frequency at night, average urinary volume, residual urinary volume, urinary symptom distress score were significantly better in the tamsulosin group than in the alfuzosin group. Also, sperm density, sperm motility, sperm activity, and sperm DNA fragmentation index were significantly better in the tamsulosin group compared to the alfuzosin group. Finally, international index of erectile function-5 scores, increased libido and erection, retrograde ejaculation, and the quality of life were significantly better in the tamsulosin group compared to the alfuzosin group. Overall, tamsulosin effectively relieved the lower urinary tract symptoms, improved semen quality, and increased sexual life and quality of life in young and middle-aged patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The therapeutic potential of royal jelly in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Comparison with contemporary literature

The aim of this study is to establish the scientific benefit of royal jelly (RJ) on prostatic-specific antigen (PSA), post-void residual (PVR) volume and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) in benign prostatic hyperplasia. For the study, a group of 40 men were administered 38 mg of RJ over a period of three months, their PSA values, prostate volumes and the volumes of their transitory prostate zones, PVR and IPPS values were measured at the end of the first month, and at the end of the third month. The results of this study confirm the potential of RJ in reducing PSA scores and improving IPSS values. Since the use of RJ did not lead to any significant reduction in PVR, prostate volume, or to any involution of the transitory zone, it appears that it may only affect the blood marker of prostatic hyperplasia and to improve quality-of-life (QoL) in those patients. Overall, in comparison to phytotherapy and conventional therapy, RJ had similar positive effects on QoL in patients with BPH, however it exhibited markedly better effects on reducing PSA levels in blood. The therapeutical use of RJ exhibited no side effects.