Flomax Side Effects in Men

Flomax, scientifically known as tamsulosin hydrochloride is a medication that is used to treat the symptoms of enlarged prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). But before moving on to side effects of Flomax in men, let us first see how it helps in treating BPH. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a health ailment related to the prostate gland, an important gland in the male reproductive system that surrounds the urethra. This condition is more commonly seen in older men between the ages of 50 to 60 years. The gland starts growing in men as they reach puberty and since then it continues to grow throughout their adulthood. However, as men reach their fifties and sixties, due to this continued growth, the gland enlarges and squeezes the urethra which intervenes with the flow of urine. This may further result in other health ailments like urine dribbling, pain and burning sensation while urinating, urine retention, incontinence, etc.

Flomax when used to treat enlarged prostate functions by blocking the alpha-adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of the prostate which relaxes the muscles. Hence, Flomax basically doesn't shrink the enlarged prostate gland rather it improves the urine flow and decreases the severity of other BPH symptoms. However, like all medications, Flomax is also known to cause some adverse effects in men.

Flomax Side Effects in Men

The side effects can either be mild or severe, depending upon the age and overall health of the patient. Hence, before consuming this medication, it is essential to know what they are and how severe they can be.

Generic Side Effects
Flomax Research shows that patients taking Flomax usually experience side effects like dizziness, nausea and fatigue, especially while standing up or moving from one place to the other. This is because in few men Flomax can cause drop in the blood pressure, hence such patient should avoid driving, operating machinery, or any other work after having this medication. Apart from these Flomax side effects and blood pressure, some patients also experience other ill effects like back pain, diarrhea, chest pain, sleepiness, overall body pain, strep throat, stuffy nose, infections like flu and common cold, insomnia, upset stomach, increased coughing, blurred vision and vertigo. Some rare but probable Flomax side effects in men include sinus infection, dental problems and low sex drive.

Severe Side Effects
Besides these generic side effects, some patients also suffer from severe side effects that may affect their sexual health. One such side effect which is encountered by men having Flomax is abnormal ejaculation. Under this condition, the person is unable to ejaculate or his ejaculation ability decreases, resulting in reduction in the production of ejaculate, a thick white fluid containing spermatozoa. Another side effect of this medication is retrograde ejaculation wherein the ejaculate enters the bladder instead of ejecting the body through the penis. Hence, painful ejaculation or erection for longer duration of time are some severe side effects in men.

To conclude, we can say, if you are taking Flomax and started noticing any of the aforementioned Flomax side effects, do not delay in contacting your doctor to elucidate the case and prevent the medication from causing long term ill effects. Hence ,in order to avoid long term side effects of Flomax in men, it is recommended to consult your doctor prior to taking the medication and never exceed its prescribed dosage.