Higher STD Rates Among Men taking ED Drugs

Men who took erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs such as Viagra were more likely to become infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) than those who do not take these drugs.

This finding came from a study of the health insurance from 1997 through 2006 of more than 1.4 million U.S. men over 40, including those who used ED drugs and those who did not. For those who used ED drugs, the researchers examined medical data one year before and one year after these men filled their first prescription.

In both the year before and after these drug prescriptions were filled, ED drug users had two to three times higher rates of STDs than non-users in the same time periods.

Even though STDs are quite rare among older men – on the order of 1 per 1,000 individuals – the researchers found that STD rates in men who used ED drugs were two to three times higher in both the year and after they filled their first prescription.

"This shows that men who take ED drugs have a different sexual risk profile than men who do not", the study's lead author, Dr. Anupam B. Jena explained.

Other studies have shown that rates of STDs, including HIV/AIDS, are rising in both older individuals as well as the general public and that people over 50 are much less likely than those in their 20s to use condoms during sex or be tested for HIV infection.

A survey of primary care practitioners found that they rarely if ever discussed reducing sexual risk factors with middle aged or older patients.

Thus, it is very important that both the doctors who prescribe ED drugs and pharmacists who dispense such prescriptions counsel all patients on the importance of safer sexual practices.

Journal Reference

Jena A, Goldman D, Kamdar A, Lakdawalla D, Lu Y. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Users of Erectile Dysfunction Drugs: Analysis of Claims Data. Annals of Internal Medicine. July 6, 2010 153:1-7

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