Lower urinary tract symptoms, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and sexual dysfunction

Abstract

Previously viewed as independent processes, sexual dysfunction (SD) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) frequently associate and signifi cantly detract from overall quality of life for men. Analysis of historic and emerging literature using some of the Bradford-Hill criteria argues causality between the two disease processes, with most data focusing on the interplay between LUTS and erectile dysfunction. Understanding of the relationship between SD and LUTS is crucial given the current societal age demographics leading to an increased pool of affected patients. Additional information on risk factors for either disease could potentially improve patient screening, and many currently available treatments (medical and surgical) for SD impact LUTS and vice versa.