Off-Label Use of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor Erectile Dysfunction Medication to Enhance Sex Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Australia: Results From the FLUX Study

摘要

Introduction: Gay and bisexual men (GBM) use erectile dysfunction medications (EDM) such as Viagra™, Cialis™ and Levitra™ often with little evidence of medical indication that might necessitate their use.\udAim: We investigate the prevalence and contexts of, and motivations for, EDM use, and its relationship to sexual risk behavior.\udMethod: Between September 2014 and July 2015, Australian GBM were invited to enroll online through social networking and gay community sites to complete a comprehensive survey looking at licit and illicit drug use and their associated behaviors. A total of 2250 GBM completed the questionnaire.\udMain outcome measures: Any EDM use, and at least weekly use in the previous six months.\udResults: Two thirds (67.7%) reported no history of EDM use in their lifetime. Approximately one in ten participants (11.1%) had last used EDM more than six months ago. In the previous six months, 11.5% reported using EDM less than monthly, 5.3% at least monthly, and 4.5% weekly or more often. Among men who had used EDM in the previous six months, the most common reasons cited for its use were: to maintain an erection for longer (73.3%), to make it easier to get hard (67.3%), and difficulty in attaining or maintain an erection (53.5%).\udConclusion: While some GBM use EDM specifically for erectile dysfunction, many also use EDM to enhance their sexual experiences. Often, this occurs in the context of intensive sex partying, which may include risky sexual behavior. The use of EDM in the context of intensive sex partying (which include the combined use of EDM and illicit drugs), with the associated potential for increased risk of HIV transmission, indicates a need to consider the use of EDM among GBM in HIV prevention