TY - JOUR T1 - Brief encounters JF - Sexually Transmitted Infections JO - Sex Transm Infect SP - 313 LP - 313 DO - 10.1136/sti.2009.038570 VL - 85 IS - 5 AU - Helen Ward AU - Rob Miller Y1 - 2009/09/01 UR - http://sti.bmj.com/content/85/5/313.abstract N2 - 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 did not. 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 404 and p 405 Delpech … ER -