Medications targeting androgen receptor activity (eg finasteride) or smooth muscle contractility (eg doxazosin) do not resolve lower urinary tract symptoms indicative of lower urinary tract dysfunction in an important subgroup of men.
Sufficient data exists linking androgens and androgen receptor pathways to BPH and use of androgen reducing compounds, such as 5α-reductase inhibitors which block the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, are a component of the standard of care for men with LUTS attributed to an enlarged prostate.
Differences in genetic factors related to androgen receptor CAG repeats, the androgen signaling pathway, and in the cellular composition of the prostate also contribute to racial/ethnic differences in the incidence of clinical BPH and LUTS.