Efficacy of tamsulosin in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to determine whether tamsulosin is an efficacious therapy for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in women. METHODS: A total of 140 women, aged 27-69 years old with LUTS entered a randomized double-blind study comparing tamsulosin (70) versus placebo (70) for 1 month. The outcome variables were mean change from baseline of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), mean change from baseline of mean and maximum urinary flow rate and any adverse effects. RESULTS: Mean change from baseline of IPSS (standard deviation, SD) were -5.6 (6.3) in the tamsulosin group and -2.6 (6.1) in the placebo group. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.008). Mean change from baseline of mean urinary flow rate (SD) was 0.7 (2.7) mL/second in the tamsulosin group and -0.5 (2.6) mL/second in the placebo group. The difference was also statistically significant (p = 0.013). However, the difference in mean change from baseline of maximum urinary flow rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.506). There were two patients in the tamsulosin group who experienced dizziness and asthenia. No other adverse effect was detected. CONCLUSION: Tamsulosin is more efficacious than placebo in the treatment of LUTS in women.