Although the results of a study from the Annals of Internal Medicine are out today noting an increase in the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among those taking drugs for erectile dysfunction, this item “hot off  the wires” practically invites the media to take a stance assuming direct causation.

Jokes aside — and you can assume that lead-ins are probably replete with them — the compelling numbers^[1] suggest a greater problem afoot: the overall numbers of sexually active men over 55 years of age is increasing. Re-evaluating incidence and prevalence rates to include this ever-burgeoning population will only become more commonplace in medical education as this retrospective study underscores one major point: the necessity of other types of trials studying the effects of preventive practices toward STIs in those much younger and applying them to this patient population. | LINK

1. Researchers followed over 1M men (average age of 60) by examining their insurance records. Among non-users of drugs like Viagra, 106 in 100,000 contracted an STD. That number increased to 214 in 100,000 for men who were using Viagra, Cialis or Levitra — the major drugs to treat ED. [↩]

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