Many men may turn to pharmaceuticals to find relief from their enlarged prostate symptoms without realizing the negative sexual side effects that can last for months or even years after they stop taking the medications. There are several drugs that treat enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Five of the drugs for BPH can cause side effects such as erectile dysfunction (ED) and other sexual problems. Four of the drugs can increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. That is why it is important to ask questions about the medications you are prescribed and consider more natural therapies and healthy lifestyle choices before being quick to take the latest drug.
BPH Drugs with Sexual Side Effects
BPH drugs that can cause ED include Propecia and Proscar (both are versions of finasteride), Avodart (dutasteride), Flomax (tamsulosin), and Jalyn (a combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin). The known side effects of these medications include various types of sexual dysfunction. With Propecia and Proscar (which are often prescribed for baldness as well as BPH), the sexual side effects can persist long after patients stop taking the medication. On average, it takes 40 months for sexual dysfunction to go away; but in some cases, it has lasted more than five years.
Side effects of Propecia and Proscar include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low libido
- Reduced sexual arousal
- Difficulties with orgasm
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Testicular pain
Side effects of Avodart include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduce sperm count, semen volume, and sperm movement
- Loss of libido
- Ejaculation problems
- Risk of high-grade prostate cancer
- Testicular pain or swelling
Side effects of Flomax include:
- Retrograde ejaculation (also called dry orgasm)
- Problems with orgasm
- Erectile dysfunction
- Symptoms related to Peyronie’s disease
- Painful erection that can last more than four hours (priapism)
Side effects of Jalyn include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduce sperm count, semen volume, and sperm movement
- Loss of libido
- Painful erection that can last more than four hours (priapism)
- Ejaculation problems
- Abnormal orgasm
Other Problems
These medications can also cause side effects that are not sexual in nature. Nonsexual side effects differ for each drug, but common side effects may include swelling of the hands or feet, swelling or tenderness in the breast, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, feeling faint, postural hypotension, headache, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or rash.
There is an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer with some of these BPH medications. Avodart, Jalyn, Proscar, and Propecia have warning boxes on their labels that indicate an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Because these medications also have bad interactions with other drugs, you need to be sure that your doctor and pharmacist know all the medications you could be taking.
A Drug For Both ED And BPH
Cialis (tadalafil) is a medication approved for treating the signs and symptoms of BPH and ED. It provides a pharmaceutical choice that does not cause the same sexual side effects as the other drugs. If you have stomach ulcers, blood cell problems, and heart problems, you should not take Cialis because these conditions can lead to complications. The most common side effects of Cialis include headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. In rare cases, it can cause priapism, a painful erection that lasts more than four hours. This is an emergency medical condition that needs immediate medical help.
Natural Alternatives To Drugs For BPH
You have several choices to consider if you are seeking a more natural way to support your prostate health. Make lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, managing your stress, balancing hormones, and getting more exercise. There are several well-researched prostate supplements that can help with prostate health. The following supplements are from food sources and plants. These ingredients can also be found in Prost-P10x.
Prostate Supplements That Can Promote Better Prostate Health
- Beta-sitosterol
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
- Curcumin
- Green tea extract
- Rye pollen
- Quercetin
- Saw palmetto
- Pygeum africanum
- Diindolylmethane (DIM)
- Stinging nettle root
Making Health Decisions
You need to be part of the decision-making process when it comes to your health. If your doctor prescribes a new medication for you, it is important to ask questions and research the side effects. Ask if there is a natural alternative or another way to treat your condition through lifestyle habits. Only once you are informed can you determine if the benefits of the medication outweigh the risks.
You should bring a list of all the medications and supplements you take to each doctor appointment. If you consistently use the same pharmacy every time you fill a prescription, it will be easier for the pharmacist to catch any drug interactions your doctor might have overlooked. It is your health, so you need to educate yourself and be an active participant in making decisions about what you put in your body and how you are going to treat your medical condition.
