¹Department of Psychology, Center of Excellence in Behavior Genetics, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland

Correspondence: Dr P Santtila, Department of Psychology, Center of Excellence in Behavior Genetics, Åbo Akademi University, Turku 20500, Finland. E-mail: pekka.santtila@abo.fi

Received 26 April 2007; Revised 29 May 2007; Accepted 3 June 2007; Published online 26 July 2007.

Abstract

We aimed to estimate the frequency of recreational use of erectile dysfunction medication (EDM) and to identify any adverse effects on confidence in gaining and holding erections resulting from such use. In addition, we explored differences in erectile function and sexual behavior between recreational and medicinal users of EDM to control for the possibility of recreational users having but not admitting erectile dysfunction. A subset from the Genetics of Sex and Aggression population-based sample of 4428 males with a mean age of 29.51 (s.d.=6.77) years provided information on their use of EDM, erectile function during first intercourse and currently, sexual behavior and confidence in their ability to gain and hold erections. There were 2.6% (n=115) recreational and 0.9% (n=39) medicinal users of EDM. Recreational users had currently significantly lower confidence in their erectile ability than non-users even though they had significantly better erectile function and significantly more unrestricted sexual behavior as well as had more confidence when initiating sexual activity. More frequent use of EDM was associated with significantly less confidence in erectile ability among the recreational users. We conclude that recreational users of EDM may be vulnerable for becoming psychologically dependent on pharmacologically induced erection.