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Flomax and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

Sexual dysfunction: mentioned by 29 users (9.8%)

Based on user experiences from 297 Flomax reviews, the following table shows the most commonly mentioned side effects.

All user comments are moderated by Drugs.com. Each review is verified for relevance and screened for inappropriate content. Side effects are user-reported and not clinically verified.

dizziness 10.4%
sexual dysfunction 9.8%
ejaculation problems 8.8%
headaches 6.7%
runny nose 5.7%
fatigue 5.1%
pain 5.1%
tiredness 4.7%
nausea 4.4%
weakness 3.7%

Reviews for Flomax

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • SRW...
  • February 14, 2020

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "My last post was two months ago, when I had been tapering off the Flomax and going with a supplement. I am shocked that I'm doing so well. I started the Flomax out of desperation. I had to plan my days around bathrooms. Even then I couldn't always go. It was the worst at night, often having to get in the shower just to get a stream started. Long car trips were out of the question. Air travel made me very nervous. Flomax worked, but the side effects were awful. Tired, low libido, congestion, runny nose. Today, two months free of it, I have just a few moments of hesitation (when getting up from sleeping) and a short walk to and from the kitchen usually cures that. I even can have a coffee daily without urgency. I really never believed supplements work, but this one does. It is made with Saw Palmetto, Stinging Nettle, Pumpkin Seed Oil, and Lycopene. I urge you to experiment if you can't stand Flomax's side effects."

4 / 10
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540 Report
  • JJa...
  • February 7, 2020

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I have been on Flomax for approximately three years and did not have any real side effects until I realized that every other person was having ejaculation problems, lack of sexual desire, and erectile dysfunction. I personally thought it was the whole prostate brachytherapy procedure that has caused these problems. After brachytherapy for prostate cancer, they generally recommend Flomax. I stayed on Flomax without thinking of the side effects, thinking it was the other meds causing the effects. Anyway, I stopped Flomax 4 days ago and ever since I stopped, I have been feeling the severe side effects of fatigue, flu-like symptoms every day. Has anyone taking Flomax had the same withdrawals that I have experienced in coming off Flomax? Nowhere does it say that there are withdrawal effects when coming off Flomax. I have checked almost every site. All they say is if you stop Flomax, tell your doctor before starting again. I will be searching for anyone’s reply."

3 / 10
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257 Report
  • Sco...
  • July 23, 2013

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Does exactly what it says it does. Helps stream and urine flow and eases discomfort. Absolutely kills sex drive, causes abnormal ejaculate and possibly causes irritability. Hopefully something better comes along, but I need it. Take if you need it, but avoid if you can."

6 / 10
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297 Report
  • yar...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 6, 2020

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Been on Flomax for about 4 years. Had all the bad side effects at the beginning like everyone else. Gradually they went away except for dry orgasm. On doctor's suggestion, had UroLift procedure last year with the plan that I could get off the medications. Gradually stopped the Flomax over 1 month. Went without it for 2 months, and normal ejaculation returned. Then symptoms began to return, and I am back on Flomax. Don't know what's next or maybe Flomax is the only thing left."

8 / 10
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122 Report
  • tkr...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 28, 2014

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Flomax works well for helping with peeing. I hope there is another medicine soon because it interferes with sex life and ejaculation is internal. I must admit though it does help in urination. So if you have an active sex life, you may want to ask for a different medicine."

5 / 10
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171 Report

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  • Caz...
  • July 31, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I was suffering for many weeks with pain, extreme urge to urinate, getting up 10-15 times a night. Urine volume was low, plus very weak stream. My doctor prescribed Flomax. Took the first one four hours before bedtime. Almost cried because all the symptoms disappeared. Finally a good night's sleep. Couldn't believe how fast it worked. After a couple of days, I was back to my normal self. Normal stream, no pain or urge to urinate. Thought it was a miracle drug. Then, after three days, the side effects started showing up. First a slightly sore back. Then overall general muscle weakness, dry ejaculation (reversed), soft erection, very weak orgasm at first, and finally no orgasm period. Stopped using this today. Day 5."

4 / 10
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107 Report
  • Caz...
  • July 31, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I was suffering for many weeks with pain, extreme urge to urinate, getting up 10-15 times a night. Urine volume was low, plus very weak stream. My doctor prescribed Flomax. Took the first one four hours before bedtime. Almost cried because all the symptoms disappeared. Finally a good night's sleep. Couldn't believe how fast it worked. After a couple of days, I was back to my normal self. Normal stream, no pain or urge to urinate. Thought it was a miracle drug. Then, after three days, the side effects started showing up. First a slightly sore back. Then overall general muscle weakness, dry ejaculation (reversed), soft erection, very weak orgasm at first, and finally no orgasm period. Stopped using this today. Day 5."

4 / 10
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107 Report
  • Caz...
  • July 31, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I was suffering for many weeks with pain, extreme urge to urinate, getting up 10-15 times a night. Urine volume was low, plus very weak stream. My doctor prescribed Flomax. Took the first one four hours before bedtime. Almost cried because all the symptoms disappeared. Finally a good night's sleep. Couldn't believe how fast it worked. After a couple of days, I was back to my normal self. Normal stream, no pain or urge to urinate. Thought it was a miracle drug. Then, after three days, the side effects started showing up. First a slightly sore back. Then overall general muscle weakness, dry ejaculation (reversed), soft erection, very weak orgasm at first, and finally no orgasm period. Stopped using this today. Day 5."

4 / 10
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107 Report
  • Isl...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 18, 2021

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I have mixed feelings about Flomax. The sexual side effects should by now be well known, and doctors and pharmacists should be discussing but sometimes fail to do so. Flomax is very seldom given to young men, commonly, it is given to those 50+. If you are sexually active, the side effects can be problematic. If you are not sexually active, the sexual side effects can be a good thing. I fall into the latter category, and a diminished libido, combined with a gentler ejaculation, is a good thing. But, after being on Flomax continually for about a week, the back and joint pain starts. Not good. The nasal congestion and headaches, also not good. I discussed with my doctor, she suggested that I try taking it every second day. So far, so good."

7 / 10
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57 Report
  • Isl...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 18, 2021

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I have mixed feelings about Flomax. The sexual side effects should by now be well known, and doctors and pharmacists should be discussing but sometimes fail to do so. Flomax is very seldom given to young men, commonly, it is given to those 50+. If you are sexually active, the side effects can be problematic. If you are not sexually active, the sexual side effects can be a good thing. I fall into the latter category, and a diminished libido, combined with a gentler ejaculation, is a good thing. But, after being on Flomax continually for about a week, the back and joint pain starts. Not good. The nasal congestion and headaches, also not good. I discussed with my doctor, she suggested that I try taking it every second day. So far, so good."

7 / 10
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57 Report
  • Ano...
  • March 3, 2009

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Flomax has improved my urinary flow and comfort and reduced significantly the number of distressing dribbles at the end of urination. Unfortunately, Flomax also quickly reduced my sexual ability too, with softer, less frequent, and shorter lasting erections, and sometimes appears to cause premature ejaculations that never occurred before. Taking zinc along with multivitamins appears to help. I'm still getting up at night to urinate, but at least the flow is good. My wife isn't thrilled about this, but I must be able to pee to live, and I can still live without much sex."

6 / 10
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134 Report
  • pee...
  • August 7, 2011

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I have been taking Flomax for a month for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. I had been getting up to urinate 2 or 3 times a night, suffering from severe pain during urination. Since starting Flomax, I have found myself dizzy if getting up quickly, blurred vision, decreased sex drive with abnormal ejaculate. I have lower back pain. I feel weaker and tired all the time. On the upside, I can go all night with no need to get up to urinate, and the pain while urinating is 50 percent less."

6 / 10
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114 Report
  • Anonymous
  • August 7, 2009

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I have been using Flomax (0.4 mg 1/day) for approximately 2 weeks, with a great improvement after the 2nd pill. My problem with urination wasn't too bad to begin with - slow start, weak stream, start/stop, up 2-3 times per night -- just inconvenient. I have experienced side effects with Flomax: get very dizzy when first standing up within 3-4 hours after taking the pill (feels like I'm going to pass out), so I take it at night; noticeable muscle weakness, but not severe. Also, sex is affected, weak orgasm. I tried Saw Palmetto (2,000 mg/day)--seemed to help some, but not very much."

6 / 10
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124 Report
  • Lou...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 16, 2019

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I used this for BPH. I took it for 9 months before quitting due to side effects. It helped some with getting up at night, but not worth it. My ejaculate almost disappeared before I realized it was happening. Also, my sexual desire decreased. Replaced Flomax with doxazosin, which was a little better, but not much. Stopped everything and had the Rezum procedure. Now I am back to normal. Meds with negative sexual side effects are not for me."

2 / 10
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51 Report
  • Jac...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 26, 2019

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I started Flomax a week ago. I'm 58 years old. I had been having a very active sex life (some days 2-3 times a day with my partner). Now I literally lost a lot of my 'sex drive,' and I also have a hard time maintaining an erection. The worst is if I orgasm, not even more than a drip of semen comes out. Now I have to choose, stop the medicine, or lose my partner of 12 years. I can get Viagra, but I don't think that you can take the two together. Ugh..."

3 / 10
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56 Report
  • 46 ...
  • December 4, 2009

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Just started taking this over almost a week. 1st thing I noticed was weak orgasm, little to no semen. Penis is largely flaccid. Flow has improved hope the dribble improves within the next week. Semen and orgasm may be an issue for me though."

4 / 10
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89 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 13, 2015

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "After a few days, Flomax did work and increased my stream. I was unable to orgasm or ejaculate on this drug. If you have no interest in sex, it does work. I took the lowest dosage. I believe it was 0.4 mg. I stopped taking the drug and am going to the doctor to try another."

3 / 10
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61 Report
  • Oce...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 28, 2014

For Urinary Tract Stones "I had a jagged 3-4 mm stone in my right kidney for months. It wasn't causing much pain, but it was causing regular bleeding. I gave up on it passing on its own and finally went to the family doctor, expecting to hear that I would need a surgical procedure. But, the doctor put me on Flomax, and after just 10 days on this med, I passed the stone with very little pain! I regret waiting so long to get help with it. The only side effect I had was the sexual dysfunction described, but it was so minimal it wasn't bothersome enough for me to stop taking the medicine. And the side effect went away after stopping the medicine."

9 / 10
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47 Report
  • Dke...
  • October 14, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Didn't work for me and bad side effects after CyberKnife. No libido and painful or no ejaculation at all. Stopped and was okay. Sixteen months later developed a UTI, BPH, and bladder issues. Urgent urination day and night started coming back about eight weeks ago, and the doctor put me on Cialis 5 mg samples daily (insurance would not cover) for BPH and 500 mg of Cypro for UTI. Was okay, then one week ago conditions worsened after running out of Cialis for just a few days and started remaining on Flomax again for four to five days and went downhill really fast. I am now urinating 20+ times, if not more. I can't leave the house, literally. Can hit in three seconds. My urine culture just came back negative, and I'm on 500 mg of cefuroxime. Started back on Cialis yesterday. Brutal, waiting for the doctor to call."

1 / 10
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38 Report
  • Dke...
  • October 14, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Didn't work for me and bad side effects after CyberKnife. No libido and painful or no ejaculation at all. Stopped and was okay. Sixteen months later developed a UTI, BPH, and bladder issues. Urgent urination day and night started coming back about eight weeks ago, and the doctor put me on Cialis 5 mg samples daily (insurance would not cover) for BPH and 500 mg of Cypro for UTI. Was okay, then one week ago conditions worsened after running out of Cialis for just a few days and started remaining on Flomax again for four to five days and went downhill really fast. I am now urinating 20+ times, if not more. I can't leave the house, literally. Can hit in three seconds. My urine culture just came back negative, and I'm on 500 mg of cefuroxime. Started back on Cialis yesterday. Brutal, waiting for the doctor to call."

1 / 10
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38 Report
  • hog...
  • July 17, 2017

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I was experiencing severe back pain, in which I was barely able to turn my head to the right or the left. I did extensive research and found out that the probable cause was my prostate. I consulted with my doctor, who confirmed that it was my prostate. I asked my doctor to explain the connection between my back and neck pain, but she got irritated. She prescribed Flomax, which has been a nightmare for me. After taking the Flomax, I was able to pee more freely, which has been a problem for me. Now I cannot hold my urine for long when I want to pee. Secondly, I do have a dry orgasm. I did some research and found out that Flomax will do this. It is irreversible. Based on reviews here, it confirms my fears."

1 / 10
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35 Report
  • Pee...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 25, 2017

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I just started this and then read reviews here. I'm REALLY concerned. One guy said that he has good luck taking Flomax every other day. If he reads this, do you get the side effects of sexual dysfunction, like every single other guy has mentioned here? I decided to try this, and it seems to be working so far. Has anyone stopped this and had their sexual functioning return to normal? I wonder if this is just an effect of lowered blood pressure. Besides, I cannot afford this stuff. I've done a lot of research on natural alternatives. I'm going to try these, and at least right now, I am optimistic, as user reviews are very positive."

6 / 10
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30 Report
  • Gre...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 7, 2022

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Not effective half of the time; causes me to feel like the room is spinning; doesn't always get bladder fully emptied; makes me feel weak and tired at least half the time; occasional urinary incontinence; loss of sexual desire and poor erections; often makes me feel nervous or apprehensive."

5 / 10
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10 Report
  • Cat...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 15, 2018

For Urinary Tract Stones "Had kidney stones, had a stent put in. Ugly, ugly painful surgery. Stent removal was just as bad as the surgery. When you ask the nurses how bad the stent removal will be, and they say you have to ask the doctor, you know it's going to be bad. Flomax helped with the flow, but the side effects are unbearable. Back pain, nausea, low blood pressure, dry ejaculation, flu symptoms. Goodbye Flomax."

3 / 10
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23 Report
  • 4st...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 3, 2017

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Stress incontinence -- piss pants at the gym when working hard. Inability to reach orgasm -- can't get over the edge and blue balls. Overall, it works, starting a stream is no problem and can empty, but now going back to a low dose of Cialis and put up with painful balls."

2 / 10
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24 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.