Quickie!

Viagra-popping seniors lead the pack for STDs

This article is a classic "correlation does not equal causation" example, so I wanted to post it here. Basically, the article states that seniors using Viagra and other ED drugs have a higher rate of STDs, especially HIV, than their non-medicine using peers and that their rates are still a lot lower than younger people.

The study did not look at what risky behaviors might be the culprit here. I have some guesses, but they're not tested so take them with a grain of salt.

My primary guess is this: Men who are having sex with other men may feel a stronger pressure to get ED drugs than exclusively heterosexual men.

My reasoning: This may be due to comparing themselves to other men (in their age bracket or younger), an increased access to sex and therefore more motivation to get meds (gay/bi men have an easier time getting partners), or an increased comfort with their own sexuality (which often correlates with being out of the closet).

HIV still is a disease that is more common among men who have sex with men than exclusively heterosexual people, and that is even more true in older age groups. This is a big part of why I suspect that this may be related.

It would be really interesting to