Flomax and Sexual Function

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Flomax and Sexual Function

Question:

What effect does Flomax have on sexual function?

Answer:

Flomax is a medication to help men with symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Doctors call this condition "benign prostatic hyperplasia," or BPH for short. The drug works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the bladder and prostate area, allowing better flow of urine through the urethra and decreasing the sensation that you need to urinate often.

Flomax is one of several drugs in a class called alpha blockers. Other drugs in this class include UroXatral, Hytrin and Cardura. Alpha blockers may cause ejaculatory disturbances, such as a decrease in the volume of the ejaculate. Some men find that these medications decrease their ability to maintain an erection. The two side effects can occur together or separately.

While there is some debate about whether one drug in this class causes more or fewer side effects than the other ones, my own experience is that there is little difference among them.

It's important to appreciate that many men who take these medicines are often in their 60s 70s and 80s, when sexual activity tends to diminish. So what is perceived as a drug side effect may have occurred even if the man was not taking Flomax or another alpha blocker.

Also, some men who take Flomax may be taking additional BPH drugs such as Proscar or Avodart — medicines which can decrease sexual activity and cause further decreases in ejaculatory volume by themselves.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009