madman
Super Moderator
Abstract
Purpose of Review
To review the prevalence and risks of sexual dysfunction associated with current treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia and to characterize techniques and methods to manage postoperative sexual dysfunction related side effects.
Recent Findings
Current surgical therapies available for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are associated with a substantial risk of both ejaculatory and erectile function. However, many of the novel minimally invasive treatment alternatives have demonstrated the ability to preserve postoperative sexual function to a better degree, all while providing significant relief of lower urinary tract symptoms in an equally safe and efficacious manner.
Summary
Benign prostatic hyperplasia remains a highly prevalent disease among the aging population. While surgical treatments are often necessary to relieve bothersome urinary symptoms, these procedures are associated with an increased risk of sexual dysfunction. As such, there has been an increased interest in the development of minimally invasive therapies, such as the UroLift®, Rezum®, and Aquablation®, with the hopes of achieving similar symptomatic relief while maintaining sexual function. Aside from reporting lower rates of sexual dysfunction, these procedures have also demonstrated comparable safety, durability, and efficacy to current gold standard therapies. Some procedures can even be performed in an outpatient setting, avoiding the need for general anesthesia altogether. Overall, an individualized, shared decision-making approach is necessary to determine the ideal treatment option for each patient.
Conclusions
There has recently been a multitude of innovative surgical technologies for the treatment of BPH and LUTS. TURP remains the gold standard for the treatment of BPH but is associated with high rates of EjD. Thus, patients should be counseled appropriately regarding the potential reduction in postoperative sexual function. Minimally invasive procedures should also be discussed as an alternative, especially in patients who wish to preserve their sexual function. These novel technologies are a promising option to patients and have demonstrated safe, effective, and durable cure to treating BPH symptoms while minimizing sexual dysfunction. Ultimately, as the robust and dynamic field of BPH treatment continues to grow and advance, an individualized, shared decision-making approach among physicians and their patients should be undertaken to select the optimal treatment option for each patient. Regardless of the outcome of the procedure, providers should always be ready to support and assist patients in their journey to recovery.
Purpose of Review
To review the prevalence and risks of sexual dysfunction associated with current treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia and to characterize techniques and methods to manage postoperative sexual dysfunction related side effects.
Recent Findings
Current surgical therapies available for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia are associated with a substantial risk of both ejaculatory and erectile function. However, many of the novel minimally invasive treatment alternatives have demonstrated the ability to preserve postoperative sexual function to a better degree, all while providing significant relief of lower urinary tract symptoms in an equally safe and efficacious manner.
Summary
Benign prostatic hyperplasia remains a highly prevalent disease among the aging population. While surgical treatments are often necessary to relieve bothersome urinary symptoms, these procedures are associated with an increased risk of sexual dysfunction. As such, there has been an increased interest in the development of minimally invasive therapies, such as the UroLift®, Rezum®, and Aquablation®, with the hopes of achieving similar symptomatic relief while maintaining sexual function. Aside from reporting lower rates of sexual dysfunction, these procedures have also demonstrated comparable safety, durability, and efficacy to current gold standard therapies. Some procedures can even be performed in an outpatient setting, avoiding the need for general anesthesia altogether. Overall, an individualized, shared decision-making approach is necessary to determine the ideal treatment option for each patient.
Conclusions
There has recently been a multitude of innovative surgical technologies for the treatment of BPH and LUTS. TURP remains the gold standard for the treatment of BPH but is associated with high rates of EjD. Thus, patients should be counseled appropriately regarding the potential reduction in postoperative sexual function. Minimally invasive procedures should also be discussed as an alternative, especially in patients who wish to preserve their sexual function. These novel technologies are a promising option to patients and have demonstrated safe, effective, and durable cure to treating BPH symptoms while minimizing sexual dysfunction. Ultimately, as the robust and dynamic field of BPH treatment continues to grow and advance, an individualized, shared decision-making approach among physicians and their patients should be undertaken to select the optimal treatment option for each patient. Regardless of the outcome of the procedure, providers should always be ready to support and assist patients in their journey to recovery.
