Preservation of sexual function with blue laser vaporization in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective study

Objective: Sexual function preservation is a paramount concern for patients undergoing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) surgery, increasingly recognized by physicians. Blue laser vaporization, a novel approach for BPH treatment, has yet to be thoroughly investigated for its effects on sexual function. This prospective study assesses the impact of blue laser vaporization on sexual function in BPH patients, focusing on patient perceptions. Methods: This study prospectively enrolled BPH patients undergoing blue laser vaporization at our hospital since January 2023. We evaluated the treatment's effectiveness and its impact on preserving sexual function using standardized questionnaires. These included the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for Ejaculatory Dysfunction (MSHQ-EjD), and both the International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire for Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-MLUTS) and its sexual function component (ICIQ-MLUTSsex). Results: We included 67 BPH patients with a median age of 65 years in this study, monitoring them for over three months. The results indicate that blue laser vaporization significantly improved International Prostate Symptom Score, Quality of Life, and ICIQ-MLUTS scores in BPH patients (p < 0.001), along with a reduction in post-void residual volume (p < 0.001). Importantly, there were no significant changes in the IIEF-5 score, MSHQ-EjD score, and ICIQ-MLUTSsex score, indicating preservation of sexual function post-surgery. Conclusion: Blue laser vaporization effectively alleviates lower urinary tract symptoms in BPH patients while preserving erectile and ejaculatory functions.