Dear Dr Greenstein,
I have BPH and am on Flomax and, more recently, Avodart.
While on Flomax alone I had no problem having an orgasm.
However, while on Flomax and Avodart I am unable to have one.
I came off the Avodart but remained on Flomax and now find that I cannot have an orgasm.
Is this a side effect of both Flomax and Avodart? - and if so, how come I was able to have an orgasm when first on Flomax alone and now not?
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Hi Jonley,
Here is some information you might find helpful when it's time to talk to your doctor.
You can find information about Avodart, side effects and formulary here. According to the drug description, "Sexual problems (e.g., impotence, decreased interest in sex, decrease in the amount of ejaculate/sperm) may infrequently occur, but then go away as your body adjusts to the drug." Dr. Jay Motola answered posts regarding both flomax and avodart here in this posting. Dr Motola also has a posting about Flomax by itself here.
I hope this helps you when you speak to your doctor about managing your care! Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing!
Vicki M
Hi Vicki,
Many thanks for your reply to my two posts and the references that you gave.
1) FLOMAX & AVODART:
For both drugs the side-effects are very similair i.e.
Dizziness, unusual weakness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, blurred vision, runny nose, or problems ejaculating may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
By "problems ejaculating" do they mean "inability to have an organism" - which is my problem?
2) THE STENT:
As you said, there is not much on this - and what there is states that 8%-37% are not that successful. I see that the article was written in 2006 - do you have any more up to date articles/information? I ask this because it also says that if the stent is made from some other (new) material it may be more successful (the stent mentioned by my urologist is a Memocath Stent - I don't know what kind of metal this is made of).
I really appreciate the trouble that you went to and a huge "thank you" for that!!
Warm regards,
Jonley
Jonley,
Take the information about the stent, forget it and throw it out the window. Flomax and Avodart can cause no ejaculation or low ejaculatory volume. They should not stop your ability to have an orgasm. I suspect you are having stress about the situation stopping you from climaxing. You need to talk to your urologist about this.
Dear Dr Greenstain,
Many thanks for your reply.
I am not quite sure what you mean by "Take the information about the stent, forget it and throw it out the window".
Are you saying that the information is not valid? - and that I can safely go ahead and have the Mamocath Stent inserted - and if so, what side effects can I expect and how long will the Stent "work" for before it needs to be replaced? Can the stent be dislodged while having intercourse?
Many thnaks - I really do appreciate your advice.
Regards,
Jonley
Sorry, I was not clear. I do not believe in urethral stents. In my experience and reading of the literature, they almost always cause problems. There are better options for urethral strictures that you should discuss with your urologist.
Dr. Greenstein
Dear Dr Greenstein,
Many thanks for your reply re. the stent.
Much appreciated - I know how busy you must be.
However, I am very weary of the more invasive treatments e.g. TURP, Green Light Laser etc. From what I've read on your site many men have had all sorts of nasty and irreversible problems from them. There does not appear to be a really safe method of treatment.
Looks very much like a catch 22 situation! However, I do not want to leave it until it develops into an emergency situation and causes bladder damage.
I would like to ask you one last question please: if you had to choose a form of treatment for BPH (apart from drug treatment which is not sufficient in my case), what would you go for?
All the best,
Jonathan Levy (Jonley)
Jonley,
Remember you must review this with your urologist. I am a big fan of laser prostate surgery. I have done a lot of Greenlights and I am now switching to Revolix. I find Revolix to be easier, cleaner and more precise. Good luck.
Dr G
Dear Dr Greenstein,
Many thanks for your quick reply and advice.
I shall discuss it with my urologist.
Your site is invaluable to people like myself.
All the best,
Jonley
Dr Greenstein,
Would it be posible for you to make a share post about the Revolix? There are no references to it and others who are experiencing similar difficulties might benefit from the information.
Thanks!
Vicki M
Hi Jonley,
Dr Marc Greenstein has been answering your posts. He is a resident expert here. You can read more about Dr Greenstein here, and read his shareposts here.
The information at Health Central is not meant to be a replacement for the advice of your Doctor. Only you and he/she know what is best. But it is great to come here and get information that will help you ask the questions you need to ask to better manage your own care.
I hope the information here has been helpful to you. Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing. If you find a treatment that works for you, let us know. Someone else might benefit from your experience. Likewise, if you are having a challenging time, we're always here to lend an ear.
Take care!
Vicki M
Hi Vicki,
Thank you for you reply.
I have learned a lot from Dr Greenstein's replies to me and also from the shareposts that I have scanned in detail on the site.
I feel that the site is a vital one for men with prostate problems around the world and thank one and all for the site.
I shall discuss my problem further with my urologist - I wanted to obtain an "unbiased" opinion on the problem which I now have from Dr Greenstein.
Either way, I shall definately return after treatment and let you and the other people who read the site know what was done and what the outcome was.
Thank you for the interest that you take in the site - it's really appreciated!!!
Warm regards,
Jonley
Hi Jonley,
Do stay in touch. You are asking valid questions that others reading these posts might not know or think to ask. It could be the difference between good quality of life and not so good based on the treatments available.
Let us know how things go with your urologist!! Take care and be well!
Vicki M
Hi again Vicki!
I am still battling to get my medical aid to pay (in full) for the Green Light Laser Surgery (it has only been in South Africa for a few months!!).
I have been looking (on this site) for probable side effects of Green Light e.g. incontinence, erection problems. However, have only found one question (about incontinence) which has not been answered.
Could one of the doctors please give an answer here? Also, the probability of side effects occurring?
Many thanks, and trust that you are well.
Hi Vicki,
This is a rather late reply to you.
I eventually did have Green Light PVP surgery in October last year (2008).
I am very happy to say that all went very well and that I have not experienced any side effects at all i.e. apart from the fact that I no longer ejaculate.
I would highly recommend this procedure to any men having BHP as long as they go to a urologist who has had sufficient experience in doing the procedure successfully. I say this because I have read (in this column) that quite a few men have had side effects after the surgery. Whether these were the fault of the urologist I cannot say. However, rather be very safe than very sorry!!!
Once again, thank you for this great site!! It is so important that men can come here and find out more about their problems and, as you said before, we then know the important questions to ask our doctors.