Recreational Use of Erectile Dysfunction Medications in Undergraduate Men in the United States: Characteristics and Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Mounting evidence indicates that erectile dysfunction medications (EDMs) have become increasingly used as a sexual enhancement aid among men without a medical indication. Recreational EDM use has been associated with increased sexual risk behaviors, an increased risk for STIs, including incident HIV infection, and high rates of concomitant illicit drug use. The aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics and associated risk factors for recreational EDM use among young, healthy, undergraduate men. A cross-sectional sample of 1,944 men were recruited from 497 undergraduate institutions within the Unites States between January 2006 and May 2007. The survey assessed patterns of EDM use, as well as demographic, substance use, and sexual behavior characteristics. Four percent of participants had recreationally used an EDM at some point in their lives, with 1.4% reporting current use. The majority of recreational EDM users reported mixing EDMs with illicit drugs and particularly during risky sexual behaviors. Recreational EDM use was independently associated with increased age, gay, or bisexual sexual orientation, drug abuse, lifetime number of sex partners, and lifetime number of "one-night stands." Recreational EDM users also reported a 2.5-fold rate of erectile difficulties compared to nonusers. Overall, recreational use of EDMs was associated with sexual risk behaviors and substance abuse; however, a relatively small proportion of undergraduates reported using EDMs. Results also suggest that a sizable portion of recreational EDM users are heterosexual men, and that use does not solely occur within the environments of venues that cater to men having sex with men.

Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs by College Students With Minority Sexual Orientations

“…These findings also support previous findings for undergraduate gay and bisexual men with regard to use of erectile dysfunction drugs (Harte & Meston, 2011;Musacchio et al, 2006). As such, these findings demonstrate the continued challenge faced in addressing this complex issue of substance use among sexual minoritiesa challenge that extends to unprescribed medications as well as the traditionally abused substances of alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs.…”

“…Nearly two thirds of respondents reported erectile dysfunction medication use with other drugs (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, GHB, methamphetamine, and cocaine) and a third with poly-drug use. Four percent of male participants reported lifetime use of erectile dysfunction medications, 1.4% reported current use, and nearly half acknowledged using these medications with alcohol and other illicit drugs (Harte & Meston, 2011). These findings, similar to findings of young adult opioid use combined with other substances (e.g., McCabe et al, 2012), highlight college males' dangerous proclivity toward combining drugs and other substances.…”

Recreational Use of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors and Its Associated Factors among Undergraduate Male Students in an Ethiopian University: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This use without indication can have an impact on sexual function, relationships with partners, and self-esteem. Moreover, very few studies have addressed the use of PDE5 inhibitors in students [3151617]. This is the first study reporting the prevalence of PDE5 inhibitor use among university students in Ethiopia.…”

Recreational Use of Erectile Dysfunction Medications and Its Adverse Effects on Erectile Function in Young Healthy Men: The Mediating Role of Confidence in Erectile Ability

“…Full details regarding recruitment and data collection are described elsewhere [14]. In brief, male participants aged 18 and older were recruited both online and via an undergraduate psychology subject pool and were asked to participate in a survey on “sexual behavior and recreational drug use.” Respondents were required to first read an online cover letter describing the nature of the survey.…”