[Erectile disfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia - causal relation or coincidence?].

There is increasing evidence of causal relation between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED). BPH appears to have a negative impact on sexual function. Drugs commonly used for the treatment of BPH (i.e. alphablockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors) may cause retrograde ejaculation, ED and reduced libido. Physicians should be aware of these adverse events and inform their patients accordingly. Conversely, phosphodiestease-5-inhibitors may have a beneficial effect on BPH symptoms.