Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects about 34 million men in the U.S.A with 9% of men 18 to 39 and up to 70% of men 60 and older. However, in an article by Harte et al published in Journal of Sexual Medicine (2012), men aged 18 to 45 are responsible for the largest increase in the use of Viagra among U.S. adults. From 1998 to 2002, the use by this age category grew 312%. They report a study of 1,207 men with an average age of 22. The men completed an online survey that asked about their sexual functioning in the past four weeks. 72 were recreational (used for perceived enhancement in performance) users of medication used to treat erectile dysfunction, 1111 were non-users and 24 were prescribed theses drugs. They answered questions about their erectile function, orgasm, sexual desire, and their satisfaction with intercourse and overall sex. they also reported their levels of confidence in their ability to get and maintain an erection. Compared to non-users, recreational users reported lower erectile confidence and overall satisfaction.
Although recreational users are a self selected group that may worry more about performance, the authors conclude that recreational use of ED medication reduces sexual confidence, leading to reduced ability and satisfaction.