Mixing stimulants and erectile-dysfunction drugs like Viagra, Levitra or Cialis is popular among some healthy young men looking to enhance their sexual performance, the Chicago Tribune reported June 5.

"I just wanted to last longer," said Chicago resident Christopher Scott, 27, in explaining why he mixed Viagra and crystal methamphetamine or "poppers" (amyl nitrate) recreationally as part of his sex life. Health professionals worry that users like Scott risk addiction, side-effects, and sexually transmitted diseases. Mixing Viagra or similar drugs with poppers can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure; mixing the drug with methamphetamine could damage the cardiovascular system.

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"We don't know exactly what effect it has on normal, healthy men, and I think it's a dangerous game to play," said Jeff Albaugh, a nurse specializing in sexual dysfunction at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

A recent survey of predominantly heterosexual college-aged men in Chicago found that 6 percent said they used erectile-dysfunction drugs. Of these, 57 percent said they took the drugs to get an erection, but 29 percent said they took drugs like Viagra to make sex last longer or have more sex.

Researcher Najah Musacchio of Chicago's Children's Memorial Hospital said that 54 percent of recreational users of erectile-dysfunction drugs used them with alcohol or illicit drugs. "All those substances, when you take them on their own, increase your sex drive and lower your inhibitions," Musacchio said. Mixing the drugs allows users to "have sex when they normally couldn't, or they're able to have sex multiple times or with multiple people."

The mix of drugs has been shown to be popular among young gay men, but some straight men use drugs like Viagra recreationally, too. Derek Parker, 36, got a prescription when he wanted to celebrate his girlfriend's birthday. "I wanted our time together to be all it could be," he said. "I just wanted it to be something special for the both of us."

The result, he said, was longer sex and less recovery time between encounters. "It enhances everything that you have going for yourself," said Parker, although he said he also got a headache and had his heart race after using the drug.