SEXUAL FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA BEFOREAND AFTER TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF THE PROSTATE

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the sexual funct ion of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) before and aft er transurethral resection of the prostate (TURF). The sexual function s of 155 patients with BPH were evaluated before TURF and 6 and 12 mon ths afterwards. The mean age of the patients was 69 years (range 49-86 years). The only significant change in sexual function after TURF was improvement in early morning erections (P < 0.01). Sixty-eight per ce nt of the patients were satisfied with their sex life before TURF, 69% after 6 months and 67% after 12 months. The corresponding percentages of patients satisfied with their libido were 60%, 59% and 54%. Only 2 6% of the patients had completely satisfactory erections before TURF, while 22% had them 6 months later and 24% 12 months later. The proport ion of fully impotent patients was 11% before the procedure, 13% after 6 months and 16% after 12 months. In 84% of the patients ejaculation was retrograde 6 months and 12 months after TURF. We conclude that TUR F does not affect the sexual function of patients with BPH, with the e xception of retrograde ejaculation.