What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Erectile dysfunction (ED)?

Prostate Enlargement is also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED), these are different problems. Both the problems increase with age and interconnect with each other as due to BPH erectile dysfunction may also occur. So a person can be affected by both the diseases and facing the symptoms of both diseases. So it is important to identify or distinguish whether you are suffering from one disease or both. Here are some points mentioned below by which you can easily diagnose yourself. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) causes problems during urination while erectile dysfunction (ED) is a sexual problem.

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Let’s talk about these problems in detail:

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):

The enlargement of the prostate gland causes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). . Due to the multiplication of cells, enlargement of the prostate gland occurs. When excess multiplication of cells occurs it leads to swelling of the Prostate gland due to which the urethra shrinks and causes a problem in the flow of urine. In severe cases, it also causes bladder damage and blood in the urine. The excess multiplication of prostate cells is noncancerous. The man's prostate continues to grow throughout his entire life, that’s why it’s quite common. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease, about 50 percent of men over the age of 50 have the problem of BPH or Prostate Enlargement, and the percentage increases as the age increase.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED):

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a type of sexual dysfunction in which a penis fails to stay erect during sexual activity. This is a very common medical condition in men. You can face this problem when you are under stress or your relationship is not going well. However, if you are facing regular ED then it might be a health problem that needs treatment. This problem increases as the men get older because of prostate enlargement. Enlarged prostate called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common reason for ED in aging men. Let's discuss this in more detail.

Can prostate problems cause erectile dysfunction?

The answer is yes as prostate enlargement causes problems in urination which, in turn, result in erectile dysfunction which affects the sexual lifestyle in men. Few sexual problems in men with the prostate are:

Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Decreased sexual satisfaction

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) can occur due to many causes, prostate enlargement or BPH is one of them and also quite common in older men. Researchers found that when men face problems in their urinary tract then they also face problems in their sexual function. That is the reason why prostate enlargement or BPH causes Erectile Dysfunction (ED).

Some symptoms of an enlarged prostate that are most strongly related to sexual dysfunction are:

Weak urine stream

Need to urinate multiple times at night

Feeling of urgency

Straining to start urinating

Inability to empty the bladder

However, In men, most sexual problems were found over the age of 60 to 70 and can be treated.

Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

need to urinate frequently

waking at night to urinate, urgency

involuntary urination,

urinary hesitancy (a delay between trying to urinate and the flow actually beginning).

a sensation of incomplete emptying,

uncontrollable leaking after the end of urination.

bladder pain or pain while urinating.

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).

Incomplete voiding.

Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction

Inability to maintain and achieve an erection.

Decreased erection period.

Reduce sexual yearning.

Diagnosis of BPH

Depends on the history of lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTP).

Rectal examination

Urinalysis

Ultrasonography

Diagnosis of ED

Depends on History

Ultrasonography

Penile nerves function

Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT)

Penile biothesiometry

Dynamic infusion cavernosometry (DICC)

Corpus cavernosometry

Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

What are the treatments for BPH and ED?

Medication for BPH

1. Alpha-blockers - Selective α1-blockers are a common and widely used medication for BPH. Alfuzosin,doxazosin, silodosin, tamsulosin, terazosin, and naftopidil are some of the selective alpha1-blockers. They reduce the blockage of urine flow by relaxing smooth muscles in the prostate and the bladder neck.

2. 5α-Reductase inhibitors- finasteride and dutasteride are some of the 5α-reductase inhibitors. They cause the inhibition of a hormone that is responsible for prostate enlargement. They can also be used with alpha-blockers for more effectiveness.

3. Others - tolterodine (an antimuscarinic) may also be used, especially in combination with alpha-blockers, Self-catheterization can also be used as treatment and also can be cured by a minimally invasive procedure.

Medication for erectile dysfunction

1. Testosterone- use of it helps in maintaining an erection as a low level of testosterone affects the erection by causing erectile dysfunction.

2. Oral drugs- PDE5 inhibitors sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and tadalafil (Cialis) can be taken.

However, these medications aren’t currently approved to treat BPH.

These medications slow down a protein that breaks down a chemical called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which increases the flow of blood in the penis.

ED drugs can boost your cGMP levels in the prostate as well as in the bladder. Increased cGMP and blood flow may relax your bladder and prostate cells, leading to great urinary flow.

3. Creams- a combination of alprostadil with DDAIP based cream enhance the permeability. It is the first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction.

4. Penile injection- like papaverine, phentolamine, and prostaglandin E1, also known as alprostadil can also be used as medication.

5. Insertion- alprostadil suppository can be inserted into the penis. It increases the blood flow which maintains the erection.

6. Pumps - also known as penis pump that is used before sexual intercourse to maintain blood flow in the penis which result in ejaculation.

Medication for BPH and ED both

1. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE)- tadalafil is a common PDE that is used for both BPH and ED. IT is more effective when used in combination with 5α-Reductase inhibitors for BPH.

2. Surgery.

NOTE:- Adapting a good lifestyle and physical activity also helps to reduce the problem.

All medication has its side effects too.