The effect of doxazosin on sexual function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypertension, or both

The prevalence of both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hypertension increases with advancing age. These conditions coexist in almost 25% of men aged 60 years and older. The use of transurethral prostatectomy, a common surgical therapy for BPH, alleviates symptoms but results in erectile dysfunction (ED) in up to 35% of patients. Pharmacological intervention for BPH, including androgen-suppressing agents, has resulted in an increased incidence of sexual adverse experiences compared with the incidence observed in patients receiving placebo. Patients with hypertension also frequently experience problems with sexual function; in addition, antihypertensive medications used to treat this disease may increase problems with sexual function. ED is an age-related phenomenon, with estimated prevalence rates of 39% among men 40 years old and 67% among those 70 years old. Doxazosin, an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of patients with BPH and/or hypertension, is not associated with the occurrence of ED compared with other antihypertensive treatments.