Benign prostatic hyperplasia, sexual function, and overall evaluation of the male patient.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are a significant problem for a large proportion of men in the United States. Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which are often caused by BPH, and ED are common in the aging male population. From numerous epidemiologic studies, it is well known that the prevalence of BPH and the loss of erectile function increase with advancing age. Men with LUTS have sexual dysfunction, including ejaculatory loss, painful ejaculation, and ED. Even though the pathogenic relationship between BPH and ED is not completely understood, a direct association between these two symptom complexes in aging men is now becoming evident. This presentation reviews the role of LUTS and ED in aging men and noninvasive and invasive treatment modalities for BPH.