Volume 21, Number 4Review ArticlesLong-term Consequences of Medical Therapy for Benign Prostatic HyperplasiaManagement UpdateEric M BortnickVannita Simma-ChiangSteven A KaplanBenign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease in men. Although transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the gold standard therapy for treatment of BPH and associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), many patients choose to avoid surgery and instead choose medical therapy. Until recently, medical therapy for BPH has been thought to be both safe and effective. However, new studies have shown that some of these medications can have significant neurocognitive, psychiatric, and sexual side effects, including dementia and depression. As most patients taking these medications will continue them for the long term, it is vital for physicians to explain these potential risks to the patient prior to prescribing them for a quality-of-life condition. [Rev Urol. 2019;21(4):154–157] © 2020 MedReviews®, LLCBenign prostatic hyperplasiaMedical therapyDepressionDementia5-Alpha-reductase inhibitorsalpha-blockers