Viagra: Not Just for Dad

Aging boomers aren't the only ones using Viagra--college men are, too. In a new anonymous survey of 234 sexually active male students at three college campuses, researchers at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago found that 6 percent have used erectile-dysfunction medications. While about half of the 18- to 25-year-olds said they took Viagra, Cialis or Levitra to treat erectile dysfunction, says researcher Najah Musacchio, others popped the pills because they wanted to "have more sex," "have more fun" or simply "to try it." (For men with normal erections, a drug won't make their erection stronger, though it may shorten the recovery period between sexual bouts.)

This could be a dangerous trend. Not only did nearly all the men get their pills without a prescription (the medicine's available online), but 64 percent mixed the meds with alcohol or illicit drugs, such as ecstasy or methamphetamine. Certain illicit drugs can cause blood pressure to plummet when combined with Viagra. The pills also allow men to have sex when they're in an altered mental state--and are less likely to make wise choices about partners and protection.

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