A strong and independent association between lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED) has been widely evidenced in several clinical epidemiologic studies.
Preclinical animal models have provided a great deal of information on potential common pathogenic mechanisms underlying these two clinical identities. Although the efficacy of the most commonly used treatments for LUTS/BPH is well defined, the negative impact of these treatments on sexual function – in particular, on ED – has triggered the search for new treatment options. In this regard, a new role for phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in the treatment of LUTS/BPH and ED has been claimed. Tadalafil is one of the most extensively investigated phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for this new indication. All evidence reported to date suggests that tadalafil 5 mg once daily is a safe and effective treatment option for both LUTS/BPH and ED.
Written by: Gacci M,1 Salvi M,1 Sebastianelli A,1 Vignozzi L,2 Corona G,3 McVary K,4 Kaplan S,5 Maggi M,2 Carini M,1 Oelke M6
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1Department of Urology, University of Florence, Florence, 2Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, 3Endocrinology Unit, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy; 4Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, 5Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; 6Department of Urology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
Reference: Research and Reports in Urology; April 25, 2013
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/RRU.S31580