Higher Risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Older Men on Erectile Dysfunction Medication

Strategic Insights -

A Harvard University study has found that men taking medication for erectile dysfunction are almost three times more likely to contract sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) compared to those not taking the medications. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, analyzed health insurance claims of men aged 40 and older and found that the increased risk of STDs persisted even after the men stopped taking the medication. According to lead study author Anupam Jena, younger men tend to have more sex partners and engage in riskier sex, but older men are less likely to use condoms, making them more vulnerable to STDs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Men taking erectile dysfunction medication have a significantly higher risk of contracting STDs, with a rate almost three times higher than those not taking the medications.
  • The increased risk of STDs persists even after the men stop taking the medication, suggesting that they may be more likely to engage in unsafe sex.
  • Younger men tend to have more sex partners and engage in riskier sex, but older men are less likely to use condoms, making them more vulnerable to STDs.
  • About 19 million new STD infections occur each year in the United States, with around 4.5 million of them being chlamydia and 2.8 million gonorrhea.
  • People aged 40-49 account for the largest proportion of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases, while those aged 50-59 and over 60 account for 13% and 4%, respectively.
  • The study's findings highlight the importance of safe-sex precautions and STD counseling for older patients seeking erectile dysfunction medication.

Statistics:

  • 19 million new STD infections occur each year in the United States (Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
  • About 4.5 million new cases of chlamydia infections occur each year (Source: U.S. CDC).
  • Around 2.8 million new cases of gonorrhea infections occur each year (Source: U.S. CDC).
  • People aged 40-49 account for 27% of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases, while those aged 50-59 and over 60 account for 13% and 4%, respectively (Source: U.S. CDC, 2007 data).
  • The study analyzed 44 large employers' health insurance claims from 1997 to 2006, identifying 33,968 men who used erectile dysfunction medication and about 1.38 million who did not.

Sources:

  • Anupam Jena et al., "Men Who Buy Erectile Dysfunction Medication Have Higher Rates of Sexually Transmitted Diseases," Annals of Internal Medicine (published online March 12, 2007).
  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "STDs in the United States" (2007).
  • Thomas Fekete, "Life Begins at Forty," Annals of Internal Medicine (published online March 12, 2007).