You are here:

Urology/Flomax vs. Avodart

Advertisement

Expert: Stephen W. Leslie, MD - 6/18/2007


Question
I specifically looked up the subject line via google and found your answer.  A followup question is the fact that I am 60 years old, have a greatly enlarged prostate, with the complication that I take Androgel due to low testosterone levels.  Flomax helped the urination problems but greatly hindered sex and made me drowsy.  Seems Avodart would be a better choice but would it shrink the prostate over time if I am taking the Androgel which I understand is like a fertilizer for prostate growth?

Answer
Avodart will help shrink the prostate, but will take 6-9 months to do it.  Flomax often causes retrograde ejaculation but usually does not affect sexual sensation or erection ability.  Try uroxatral first as it will enhance urinary flow as well as Flomax but with fewer sexual side effects.  Avodart can be added, and then the Uroxatral stopped on a trial basis in 6 months.  That way you have the benefit of both now when you need it most.

Urology

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Stephen W. Leslie, MD

Expertise

Questions concerning erectile dysfunction, kidney stones and prostate disorders including prostate cancer. I have a special interest in kidney stone disease prevention.

Experience

Full time practicing urologist with 30 years experience. Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of Urology at Creighton University Medical Center. Editor in Chief of eMedicine Urology internet textbook. Author of only NIH approved book written for patients by a urologist on the subject of kidney stones "The Kidney Stones Handbook". Inventor of the "Parachute" and "Escape" kidney stone baskets and the "Calculus" stone prevention analysis computer program.

Organizations
American Urological Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Sexual Medicine Society

Publications
Men's Health, Journal of Urology, Urology, Healthwatch Magazine, Emergency Medicine Monthly, eMedicine, "The Kidney Stones Handbook", and numerous articles in various newspapers. He is also the editor of the Urology Board Review by McGraw-Hill used by urologists to study for their Board Certification Examinations.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of New York Medical College with residencies completed at Metropolitan Hospital New York, Albany Medical Center and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Awards and Honors
Thirlby Award of the American Urological Association. Rated as one the country's Best Urologists by the Independent Consumer's Research Institute

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.