Challenges in the Pharmacotherapy of Urogenital Disorders

Although some urogenital drugs such as tamsulosin or tolterodine have reached blockbuster status, the pharmacotherapy of urogenital disorders has been lagging behind many other therapeutic areas for a long time. Malformations and trauma of the urogenital tract are a clear domain of surgery, and malignant urogenital disease has more in common with malignancies of other tissues than with other urogenital disorders; hence, both groups of disorders are not topical for this journal. However, a large number of functional disorders of the urogenital tract exist. These include lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH), the overactive bladder symptom complex (OAB), stress urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculation disorders, preterm labor, and ureteral stone disease. Many of these conditions are highly prevalent in the general population. Despite being largely functional disorders, their treatment often was based on surgical approach (e.g., LUTS/BPH) or limited to conservative management.