Taking ED Drugs for Fun? Well, You Might Not be Having Fun for Very Long

Drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED) are being used by more and more young men who have no medical need for them—about 6 percent of male college students (I guess that technically makes it “abuse” rather than “use”).

But, if you’ll pardon the pun, there is a downside. To start with, ED drug use has been associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior (unprotected sex, for example). And ironically, taking ED drugs recreationally may actually lead to ED. The issue is that relying on drugs undermines young men’s confidence in their ability to achieve and maintain an erection, according to Christopher Harte, the lead author of the study. It also makes the user less satisfied with his sex life. “One needs to be careful when they are frequently using these medications. It can set you up to have unreasonable expectations” about your sex life, said Harte, a research fellow at VA Boston Healthcare System.The good news is that recreational ED drug use doesn’t cause any lasting physical problems and users don’t develop a tolerance (meaning that they would need more and more of the drug to get the same effect). However, some medical professionals say that the psychological effects—that lack of self-confidence or an increase in anxiety—can last for a lot longer.