Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Requests for Single Reprints: Anupam B. Pharmacologic treatments for erectile dysfunction ED have gained widespread popularity among middle-aged and older males in recent years. Increased sexual activity among users of these treatments raises concerns about sexually transmitted diseases STDs.
Medical and drug claims from to of 1,, male employees above the age of 40 with private insurance from 44 large companies. Selection bias precludes firm conclusions about whether use of ED treatments directly leads to increases in STDs.
Compared to non-users, users of ED drugs have higher rates of STDs both prior to initiation of treatment and one year after.
At a minimum, this relationship suggests that men using ED drugs may benefit from early discussions about safe sexual practices and closer monitoring for STDs. Driven largely by the high prevalence of erectile difficulties in this population 1 β 8 , rates of sildenafil use reportedly reached 1. In light of growing evidence for rising STD cases, including AIDS cases, at older ages 10 β 14 , ED drugs have received attention for their possible contribution to these trends.
Although middle-aged and older adults generally take fewer risks with their health, their decreased need for contraception may imply less than optimal safe sexual practices compared to younger populations. In light of these findings and the growing use of pharmacologic treatments for ED, we investigated the relationship between STDs and ED drug use in a comprehensive, large sample of privately insured, middle-age and older adult male beneficiaries.
