Can BPH Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction ED may seem entirely separate but actually have some interesting overlap. After all, the prostate is located near a man’s sexual organs. But while the enlargement of one’s prostate does not have a direct cause or effect on erectile dysfunction, some of the follow-on effects of BPH can make an erection more challenging to achieve or maintain.

To start, let’s dive into what BPH is. This is a benign or non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, something that becomes extremely common as a man ages. It’s estimated that about half of men have BPH by the age of 50, and 90% have the condition by the age of 80. The enlargement of the prostate causes pressure on the urethra, which can limit urinary flow and cause several significant effects, including:

• Weak urine stream
• Stopping and starting
• Trouble starting to urinate
• Urine leakage
• Urgency to urinate
• Waking up at night to urinate
• and more.

On the other hand, while many men have co-occurring erectile function issues, primarily due to age, BPH does not directly affect the nerves or blood supply of the penis. Instead, it is the symptoms of BPH that often make sexual interactions less pleasurable.

Many men, especially those who are not in a committed, long-term relationship, may be embarrassed by the possibility of lower urinary tract issues. “What if I leak before, during, or after intercourse?” A patient may also find they are unable to achieve an erection because their symptoms are, either psychologically or physically, causing them to lose their mood.

There’s also the consideration of poor sleep resulting from nocturia or waking up at night to go to the bathroom. If the patient is waking up to urinate more than a few times a night, it is very disruptive, both for themselves and their partner. As a result, some may not have the desire to participate in sexual activity.

Lastly, we must consider the patient’s age. As men get older, they are at a significantly higher risk for both erectile dysfunction and BPH. While one may have come sooner than the other, this does not mean that it caused the other. Instead, you can often chalk this up to coincidence and typical age-related issues.

Next Steps

If BPH symptoms are indeed causing sexual problems, patients should visit a qualified men’s health urologist like Dr. Engel (and avoid men’s health clinics) to get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.

There are many BPH therapies (think saw palmetto) claiming to work without a prescription or the assistance of a medical practitioner. Ultimately, however, there is a treatment pathway for managing any level of BPH. These include frontline therapies like medications, minimally invasive in-office procedures, and even surgery center-based procedures. If patients are experiencing an unrelated case of erectile dysfunction, we also have a wide range of treatment options, from inexpensive and easy-to-take medications to penile injections and penile implants.

We look forward to helping you find the right option for your circumstances.