In patients
with prostates that weigh more than
40 g, the 5-reductase inhibitor
finasteride has demonstrated longterm
potential to reduce gland size
and block progression of the disease
to AUR or the need for surgery.
Patient decisions regarding treatment
choices are based more on
anticipated relief of symptoms and
improved QOL than on traditional
measures of urinary symptoms, such
as peak urinary flow rates.56
Improving sexuality-related QOL is
an important outcome for patients.
This underscores the importance of
measuring sexual function before
and after treatment. Hopefully, the
medical community will soon agree
on standardized, validated measures
that will allow for comparative
analysis.