Waking up several times a night to pee is frustrating enough. But when you start wondering if your prostate problem is also messing with your sex life? That’s when benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) gets really personal.
Here’s what most men want to know: Will BPH and sexual function always be connected? Will treatment make things worse? And is there a way to fix the bathroom issues without creating bedroom problems?
You’re not the only one with those questions. A lot of men worry about this but don’t know who to ask. Let’s separate fact from fear.
What BPH Actually Does
The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. As it gets bigger, the prostate can press on the urethra and interfere with urine flow.
That’s why BPH is best known for urinary symptoms. But because of where the prostate is located, changes in its size or treatments can affect sexual function too.
When doctors talk about sexual function, they’re usually referring to several related things:
- Sexual desire or libido
- Erections
- Ejaculation
- Orgasm
- Sexual satisfaction
How BPH Affects Sexual Function
Here’s the good news: BPH itself usually doesn’t cause erection problems. Just having a bigger prostate doesn’t mean you’ll have erectile dysfunction (ED).
But BPH symptoms can still mess with your sex life in other ways:
- Waking up all night to pee leaves you tired and low on energy
- Pressure or discomfort in your pelvis makes sex less appealing
- Worrying about needing to pee during sex can kill the mood
BPH and ED are two different things. But they often show up together because they share the same risk factors:
- Getting older
- Problems with blood vessels
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
Men with worse urinary symptoms are usually more likely to notice changes in their erections, too. That doesn’t mean BPH causes ED. It just means the two problems often happen at the same time and might both need treatment.
Can BPH Medications Affect Sexual Function?
Yes. In fact, when sexual side effects occur, they’re more often related to treatment than to BPH itself. Some medicines used to manage BPH can affect:
- Ejaculation
- Libido
- Erections
Medications that relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder can change ejaculation. Some men notice less semen during orgasm. They may notice none at all. It can be surprising, but it doesn’t mean orgasm disappears. It just changes how ejaculation happens.
Other medications that shrink the prostate may affect sexual desire and function in some men. But these effects vary widely. And many men tolerate the medications well.
If sexual side effects do occur, adjusting the dose or switching treatments is often an option. Some medicines may help with both urinary symptoms and erections, which can be helpful to discuss if sexual function is a concern.
How Do BPH Procedures Affect Sexual Function?
Newer BPH procedures can relieve urinary symptoms effectively. Many are designed to reduce sexual side effects. After treatment:
- Changes in ejaculation are more common than problems with erections
- Erections are often preserved, especially with modern techniques
Because of this, it’s important to talk openly with your urologist about what matters most to you. Some men prioritize symptom relief above all else. Others place a higher value on preserving ejaculation or minimizing recovery time.
Getting Help for BPH and Sexual Function
You don’t have to choose between fixing your urinary problems and keeping your sex life healthy. The right treatment plan can help with both. If BPH is affecting your quality of life or you’re worried about sexual side effects, talking to a doctor is the first step toward feeling better.
Our specialists help men in Lake Barrington, Elgin, Crystal Lake, and Hoffman Estates manage BPH while protecting what matters most to them. Schedule an appointment today and get the answers you need.