Marijuana tied to increased risk for LUTS medications in BPH

(HealthDay)—Marijuana use is associated with both sperm functional defects and an increased risk for being on a lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) medication among men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)/LUTS, according to two studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association, held from May 3 to 6 in Chicago.

Granville Lloyd, M.D., and Heather Carmichael, M.D., from the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine in Aurora, examined the correlations for marijuana use, alcohol use, and other medical comorbidities with BPH/LUTS treatment. Data were included for 173,469 men older than 40 years of age; 11.9 percent were on medical therapy for LUTS. The researchers found that marijuana use remained significantly associated with an increased risk for LUTS medication on multivariable analysis, as did erectile dysfunction and depression; no significant correlation was seen for alcohol use and LUTS treatment.

Jorge Hallak, M.D., Ph.D., from the…