Brief encounters

International audienceHelen Ward, Rob Miller, Editors Phosphodiesterase type5 inhibitor use and condom breakage – is there a link? [36012] Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) drugs are widely used to treat erectile dysfunction. Use of these drugs has been associated with increased rates of high-risk sexual behaviour and HIV transmission in some men. Crosby and colleagues carried out a study to see whether condom breakage as a result of enhanced erections may be a factor. They studied heterosexual men who reported condom use, and compared those who used PDE5i with those who didn't. Condom failures occurred 12% of the time in PDE5i users compared with 5% in controls. After adjusting for potential confounders, men using PDE5i were approximately four times more likely to report condom breakage. The authors suggest that men using the drug should be advised on techniques to reduce breakage. See also the accompanying Commentary by Goldmeier and Richardson. See pages x-y. and [commentary