[Association between lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction].

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are highly prevalent in aging men and both of the conditions have a significant impact on the quality of life. In the past few years, various epidemiological trials were conducted to assess the association between LUTS and ED. These studies showed that LUTS, particularly the voiding symptoms, nocturia and the others caused by LUTS, independently increased the incidence of ED. There are some factors involved in the link between LUTS and ED: (1) rho-kinase expression/activity increased; (2) nitric oxide release decreased and corpus cavernosum smooth muscle contraction strengthened due to endothelin-1; (3) the composition of myosin isoform altered; (4) sympathetic hyperactivity and innervation of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscles decreased. These findings concerning the relationship between LUTS and ED have offered some new insights into the evaluation and treatment of patients with these conditions. The present paper briefly reviews the recent studies of the association between LUTS and ED.