Gay Men Sought For Viagra Study

In the world of erectile dysfunction, gay men have traditionally been left out in the cold. Past studies on the condition have investigated the effects of drugs such as Viagra, Levitra and Cialis on only the heterosexual population, and more recent attempts to address the overlooked gay community were met with resistance from pharmaceutical companies.
"Companies initially said that gays use (erectile dysfunction) drugs strictly for recreation and that's why they're taking them," says Dr. Evan Goldfischer of Hudson Valley Urology, which just launched a pilot study to investigate erectile dysfunction in gays.
The prevailing belief seemed to be that this segment of society just wanted more opportunities to have sex.
"And that just didn't make sense," says Goldfischer, principal investigator for the study.
Goldfischer says the three big risk factors for erectile dysfunction are diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol – conditions that can strike anyone, no matter what their sexual orientation.
"Of course gay men are going to get these conditions," he says.
Viagra manufacturer Pfizer finally caught on to this and gave Hudson Valley Urology a grant to fund the study.
Besides looking at whether the pills currently out there are working for gays and in what dosages, Goldfischer says the study will set out to dispel the recreational drug myth and find another "measure of success."
Past trials, which used vaginal penetration as the success standard, had some obvious drawbacks.
"Even in the heterosexual population, vaginal penetration is not necessarily the best measure of success," Goldfischer says.
Some people are doing things like oral sex, which may not require as firm an erection. On the other hand, anal sex "may require the erection to be a little harder," he says.
What happens when the results are in remains to be seen.
The risk of a boycott by conservatives could result in Pfizer nipping any large-scale trial in the bud, Goldfischer says. Or the results could persuade the drug maker to follow the study up with a major clinical trial.
"We'll see what the data shows and what the reaction is – and frankly we expect it to be a fairly controversial study," Goldfischer says.

Study information

Hudson Valley Urology is looking for a few good men to participate in the erectile dysfunction study. They expect recruitment to last from now through February.
Volunteers must be gay with a steady partner and be willing to make the necessary five visits to the group's Poughkeepsie or Kingston offices over the three-month trial.
Free dosages of Viagra and a small stipend for items such as travel costs and time off from work will be provided.
Most reasonably healthy gay men will be accepted, although participants cannot be taking any nitrate medications.
For more information or to volunteer, call Hudson Valley Urology at 452-8730 and ask for Lorraine O'Donnell.
from Record Online