Benign prostatic hyperplasia and erectile dysfunction - is there a link?

There is little evidence to support a link between benign prostatic hyperpl asia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction (ED). Arty apparent relationship may re flect the fact that both are common conditions with a similar gender and ag e distribution. However, the surgical treatment of BPH (e.g. TURP or open p rostatectomy) may cause ED as a postoperative complication in some patients . Similarly, the medical treatment of BPH with finasteride may be associate d with ED (< 5% in one study). However, alpha-blockade is not associated wi th this side-effect.