Many drugs can cause ED (erectile dysfunction) or other sexual problems as side effects. You might want more hair on your head or relief from urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate but perhaps not at the expense of your sexual function. Unfortunately, there are five drugs for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that could leave you with long-term or even permanent sexual side effects.
5 Popular Men’s Health Drugs that Can Cause ED
The 5 BPH drugs that can cause ED include:
- Propecia (finasteride)
- Proscar (finasteride)
- Avodart (dutasteride)
- Flomax (tamsulosin)
- Jalyn (a combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin)
Side Effects of BPH Drugs
We don’t yet know of all of the side effects for these medications, but the known side effects include various types of sexual dysfunction. With Propecia and Proscar (which are often prescribed for baldness in addition to BPH), the sexual side effects can last 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 persisted over five years.
Propecia and Proscar side effects include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low libido
- Reduced sexual arousal
- Difficulties with orgasm
- Abnormal ejaculation
- Testicular pain
Avodart side effects 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
Flomax side effects include:
- Retrograde ejaculation (also called dry orgasm)
- Problems with orgasm
- Erectile dysfunction
- Symptoms related to Peyronie’s disease
- Painful erection that can last over four hours (priapism)
Jalyn side effects include:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduce sperm count, semen volume, and sperm movement
- Loss of libido
- Painful erection that can last over four hours (priapism)
- Ejaculation problems
- Abnormal orgasm
There are other negative nonsexual side effects of these drugs as well. Nonsexual side effects vary per 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.
Other types of drugs that can cause ED include a number of diuretics and medications for high blood pressure, antidepressants, anti-anxieties, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and chemotherapy medications. Always ask your doctor about potential side effects when taking new medications and if they are drugs that can cause ED.
Other Safety Warnings for BPH Drugs
In 2011, the FDA issued a safety warning regarding an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer associated with the use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, including Avodart, Jalyn, Proscar, and Propecia. These drugs now have a warning box on their labels indicating an increased risk for aggressive prostate cancer. These medications also have bad interactions with other drugs, so be sure your doctor and pharmacist are aware of all the medications you could be taking.
BPH Medication that Does not Cause ED
Cialis (tadalafil) is a medication that is approved to treat the signs and symptoms of BPH. This drug was also approved to treat ED back in 2003, so it is a pharmaceutical choice that does not cause sexual side effects. There are a few medical conditions that can cause complications with Cialis. Do not take Cialis if you have stomach ulcers, blood cell problems, and heart problems. The most common side effects include headache, indigestion, back pain, muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose. In rare cases it can cause priapism.
Alternatives to Drugs for BPH
Men looking to avoid side effects from BPH medications may want to look to a natural solution to support prostate health. Make lifestyle changes through your diet, managing stress, balancing hormones, and getting exercise. There are several well-researched supplements for helping with prostate health. The following supplements tend to come from food sources and plants, and they don’t produce the negative side effects that the medications cause.
Supplements that can promote better prostate health include:
- Beta-sitosterol
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
- Curcumin
- Cranberry
- Green tea extract
- Rye pollen
- Quercetin
- Saw Palmetto
- Pygeum africanum
- Diindolylmethane (DIM)
- Stinging nettle root
Making Health Decisions
Whenever you are prescribed any medication, whether it is for BPH or another medical issue, be sure to ask questions and read up on the side effects. Determine if the benefits of the medication outweigh the risks. Do your research to find out if there is a natural alternative or a lifestyle change you could make that could help with the problem without causing negative side effects. Before you start any medication, you should always discuss the benefits and risks of the medication with your healthcare provider. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist have a complete list of all the medications you take. Consistently using the same pharmacy every time can help your pharmacist to have all your medications on file, making it easier to catch any drug interactions. It is your health, so you need to be an active participant in making decisions about what you put in your body.
