Rezum boosts sexual function in men with or without ED

Treatment with Rezum improves sexual function in men with baseline erectile dysfunction (ED) and maintains long-term sexual function in those without ED, reports a study. However, men with ED may go through temporary decline in sexual function at 1 year.

Of the 91 patients included, 40 (44 percent) had ED and 51 (56 percent) had no ED. The ED cohort showed a greater prevalence of diabetes history (35 percent vs 15.7 percent; p=0.048) and had lower baseline scores in the domains of erectile function (EF), orgasmic function (OF), intercourse satisfaction (IS), and overall satisfaction (OS).

Both the ED and no ED cohorts showed no significant changes in any International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) domains at 6 months from baseline. At 12 months, however, men with ED experienced significant reductions in OF (−25 percent; p=0.02), sexual desire (SD; −22.2 percent; p=0.04), and OS (−33.3 percent; p=0.004), while those without ED had a significant increase in EF (5 percent; p=0.04).

At 48 months, the no ED cohort showed no significant changes in any IIEF domains, while the ED cohort had significant increases in EF (30 percent; p=0.01), SD (22.5 percent; p=0.02), IS (20 percent; p=0.01), and OS (58.3 percent; p=0.008).

The two cohorts significantly discontinued medications for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) at all follow-up periods. No cases of de novo ED were noted in men without ED at 48 months.

This study enrolled multiethnic Rezum-treated patients from a single outpatient office. The investigators compared IIEF domains and BPH medication usage at baseline and at 6, 12, and 48 months using t tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square tests, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests.

“As modern BPH therapies continue to demonstrate efficacy in alleviating lower urinary tract symptoms, the preservation or improvement of sexual function emerges as an increasingly important consideration for patients, with our study suggesting Rezum as a compelling option,” the investigators said.