Effect of Finasteride on Sexual Function in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Oh, Sang Hyun; Oh, Bong Ryoul; Ryu, Soo Bang

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the change in sexual function after treatment with finasteride in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia using the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sixty patients, who were treated with 5mg finasteride daily due to a benign prostatic hyperplasia, were assessed with the IIEF questionnaires prior to treatment and after 3 months of medication. Nine patients were excluded due to an erectile dysfunction. The patients' age ranged 50 to 78 years with a mean age of 63.3 years (by age group: 50-59 years, n=13; 60-69 years, n=27; 70-79 years, n=11). The total IIEF scores and all 5 IIEF domains scores were calculated to investigate the change in sexual function.
RESULTS
The mean total IIEF scores decreased significantly from 43.24+/-15.02 to 37.00+/-17.78 after administering finasteride (p<0.05). The mean decrease in the total IIEF scores for the men in their fifties, sixties and seventies were 4.69, 7.59 and 4.73, respectively, and was most prominent in the sixties. Among the mean scores of each IIEF domain, the erectile function scores decreased from 17.53+/-6.83 to 15.04+/-7.78 (p<0.05), the intercourse satisfaction scores decreased from 7.59+/-2.86 to 6.25+/-3.43 (p<0.05), the orgasm function scores decreased from 6.37+/-2.65 to 5.16+/-3.07 (p<0.05), the sexual desire scores decreased from 5.47+/-1.71 to 4.86+/-2.06 (p<0.05), and the overall satisfaction scores decreased from 6.27+/-2.44 to 5.69+/-2.62 (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
With this IIEF questionnaire, the generalized sexual function decreased after finasteride treatment in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, particularly in those aged 60-69 years.