Research poster presentation
Adolescent relationship and sexual behavior
76: Erectile dysfunction and Viagra™ use: What’s up with college-age males?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.11.058Get rights and content

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Purpose

Despite a NIH call for epidemiologic investigation, there are limited data on erectile dysfunction (ED) in adolescent males. ED is associated with sexual dissatisfaction, decreased quality of life, depression, and anxiety. There are no published data on ED associated with condom use (EDwC). Anecdotal evidence suggests that teenagers use erectile dysfunction medications (EDM) recreationally, mixed with drugs or alcohol. Our study examines the prevalence and correlates of ED, EDwC, and EDM use in

Methods

We distributed an anonymous, self-administered survey to a convenience sample of 302 males age 18-25 at 3 Chicago-area university campuses. Sixty-eight participants (23%) who reported no sexual activity in the last year (defined as “anal or vaginal sex”) were excluded from further analysis. We used logistic regression to conduct age-adjusted correlates of ED, EDwC, and EDM use. Effects were considered significant if p<0.05.

Results

Participants (N=234) were 66% white, 95% heterosexual, and had a mean age of 20.1 years (SD=1.5). Eighty-three percent had 1-5 sexual partners in the last year, 47% reported 100% condom use, and 3% had a history of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Thirteen percent reported ED, defined as “ever had difficulty getting or keeping an erection.” Twenty-five percent reported EDwC, defined as “ever lost an erection while putting on a condom.” Only 1/29 discussed their ED with a medical

Conclusions

ED and EDwC are under-studied in adolescents, and our findings suggest they are rarely discussed with a medical provider. Given the association with negative health outcomes such as depression and anxiety, medical providers should ask adolescents about ED and counsel them on potential health risks involved in EDM and substance use. Providers should inquire about EDwC, stressing the importance of using condoms with all sexual encounters.

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