Tamsulosin and Sexual Dysfunction: What Users Say

• SRW...
• February 14, 2020

Tamsulosin 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."

• JJa...
• February 7, 2020

Tamsulosin 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."

• Sco...
• July 23, 2013

Tamsulosin 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."

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

Tamsulosin 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."

• tkr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 28, 2014

Tamsulosin 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."

• Caz...
• July 31, 2016

Tamsulosin 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."

• Caz...
• July 31, 2016

Tamsulosin 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."

• Caz...
• July 31, 2016

Tamsulosin 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."

• Isl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2021

Tamsulosin 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."

• Isl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2021

Tamsulosin 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."

• Ano...
• March 3, 2009

Tamsulosin 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."

• pee...
• August 7, 2011

Tamsulosin 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."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2009

Tamsulosin 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."

• Lou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2019

Tamsulosin 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."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2019

Tamsulosin 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..."

• nos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Only moderately effective, however, the sexual dysfunction side effects are rampant. This drug has caused erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, and reduced libido and semen volume. In short, it makes having sex difficult and sometimes impossible, and it drastically reduces the pleasure. I can't imagine why mainstream medicine could possibly consider these side effects as acceptable to the average male with a healthy sexual appetite."

• nos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2016

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Only moderately effective, however, the sexual dysfunction side effects are rampant. This drug has caused erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, and reduced libido and semen volume. In short, it makes having sex difficult and sometimes impossible, and it drastically reduces the pleasure. I can't imagine why mainstream medicine could possibly consider these side effects as acceptable to the average male with a healthy sexual appetite."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2014

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Urinating well, but took several months for full effect. Still going twice a night. But flow is good. I would say this is the best thing since sliced bread if it weren't for the sexual side effects. My orgasms before taking Flomax were very intense. Now after four months it is like I even don't want to have sex. There is build up, but no release whatsoever."

• 46 ...
• December 4, 2009

Tamsulosin 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2015

Tamsulosin 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."

• Ol ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2019

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "I took Tamsulosin for around four months and more or less immediately started suffering from anorgasmia (couldn’t reach climax) and struggled to get an erection too. Thought it was age-related (58 at that time) until I saw other reviews saying similar issues. Went to see my doctor and persuaded her to take me off it and go for green light laser PVP treatment instead, which I had around six months later. Took several more months until things went back to normal. Now 61, and things are all working fine. Just think this side effect is more common than the leaflet tells. Also had a devastating effect on me psychologically and got quite depressed, but thankfully, I’m over it now. I’ve never had any reaction to any other drug I’ve taken, so just want people to be aware of this if they take Tamsulosin."

• Oce...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2014

Tamsulosin 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."

• Dke...
• October 14, 2016

Tamsulosin 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."

• Dke...
• October 14, 2016

Tamsulosin 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2012

For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia "Tamsulosin very quickly improved the flow of urine, and meant my night wasn't constantly interrupted. Great! But it has reduced libido and intensity of sexual pleasure. Above all, it has left me feeling very tired - even though I take it in the early evening."