How BPH Can Affect Your Sexual Health
Understanding the Link Between Enlarged Prostate and Sexual Function
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, is a common condition that affects aging men—especially those over 50. While many are familiar with symptoms like frequent urination or trouble starting a stream, one aspect that often goes unspoken is how BPH can affect sexual function.
Let’s break the silence and shed some light on how BPH can impact your sex life, what causes these changes, and how you can find help without giving up your quality of life.
What Is BPH?
BPH occurs when the prostate gland, which surrounds the urethra, begins to enlarge. This growth can squeeze the urethra and interfere with normal urine flow. Though it isn’t cancerous, BPH can significantly impact your comfort, sleep, and confidence.
Sexual Symptoms of BPH
Sexual dysfunction is not uncommon in men with BPH. The condition itself—and sometimes the treatments for it—can contribute to several sexual health issues, including:
1. Reduced Sexual Satisfaction
The discomfort and frustration that come with urinary symptoms can affect mood, confidence, and desire, which can lead to a decline in sexual satisfaction.
2. Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Although BPH doesn’t directly cause ED, research suggests that men with BPH are more likely to experience difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. This may be due to shared risk factors, including age and reduced blood flow.
3. Ejaculatory Issues
Some men with BPH report painful ejaculation, decreased ejaculate volume, or retrograde ejaculation—where semen enters the bladder instead of exiting the penis.
4. Loss of Libido
When you’re constantly waking up at night to urinate or dealing with pelvic pressure and discomfort, it’s understandable that your interest in sex may decline.
How BPH Treatments May Impact Sexual Function
Certain medications used to treat BPH, such as alpha-blockers or 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, may have sexual side effects. These can include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, or ejaculation changes.
That’s why it’s important to discuss your sexual health openly with your doctor when reviewing treatment options.
Minimally Invasive Options That Preserve Sexual Health
Not every BPH treatment leads to sexual side effects. In fact, many men are now choosing Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE)—a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that shrinks the prostate without surgery or long-term medications.
Studies show that PAE is effective in relieving urinary symptoms while minimizing the risk of sexual dysfunction. It allows you to get back to living—and loving—without the trade-offs.
Another advantage of Prostatic Artery Embolization is that it does not interfere with ejaculatory pathways. While surgeries such as TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) may cause retrograde ejaculation—which can lead to male infertility—the PAE procedure preserves natural ejaculation. For many men, this makes PAE a more attractive option when looking to maintain sexual function and reproductive health.
You’re Not Alone—and You Have Options
Talking about sexual health can feel uncomfortable, but it’s a crucial part of your overall well-being. If you’re experiencing urinary symptoms and changes in sexual function, it’s time to have a conversation with a specialist. There are treatments available that can improve both your urinary health and your quality of life—without compromising intimacy.
Ready to Take Control of Your Health?
USA Prostate Centers offers expert, non-surgical treatment for BPH, including Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE). Our goal is to help you feel like yourself again—without the fear of losing what matters most.
