The researchers recruited 440 men who used condoms when having vaginal sex who also used Viagra to help them achieve an erection

The volunteers were recruited using newspaper and internet advertisements and asked to fill in questionnaires about their most recent sexual experience involving Viagra.

1 in 10 of the men had used an erectile dysfunction treatment such as Viagra on the occasions and for 12% of those men the condom broke, compared to 5% of men who did not use medication.

The researchers also discovered that men who reported having intercourse for longer were also more likely to report the condom having broken.

When the results of the questionnaire were analysed to take into account other factors, it was discovered that erectile dysfunction medication remained a significant factor in the condom breaking. Men using treatments like Viagra were up to 4 times more likely to have this happen to them.

The team who lead the study have suggested that the results may be due to Viagra and other similar medications causing increased swelling when a man achieves an erection, possibly causing the condom to be tighter.

They have said that men using Viagra might be advised to use condoms large enough to accommodate the enhanced erection and warned that longer-lasting sex might be associated with condom breakage.

However there is some doubt about the results as the same team did a similar study last year, where 7% of the respondents used Viagra but no increased likelihood of condom breakage was noted.

The researchers have called for there to be further investigation of the possible link between prophylactics failing and the usage of Viagra.

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