The number of prescriptions for erectile dysfunction drugs among active-duty U.S. service members reached an all-time high in 2025, according to Pentagon data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. A total of 108,332 prescriptions were issued to active-duty troops, a marginal increase from the 108,323 recorded in 2024. This figure represents a 16.5% jump from the 92,996 prescriptions dispensed in 2021, during the Biden administration.
The surge in prescriptions for these medications, often referred to as "bedroom-booster drugs," reflects an increasing trend under the Trump administration. In 2025, the wider military community, including veterans and dependents, received a total of 639,355 prescriptions for erectile dysfunction drugs, up from 627,121 the previous year.
Despite the high volume of prescriptions, the military has maintained a cost-effective approach by largely utilizing generic medications. Approximately 97.8% of all erectile dysfunction prescriptions over the past five years have been filled with generic drugs. Name-brand medications such as Viagra and Cialis were not prescribed to active-duty personnel in 2024 or 2025. Sildenafil citrate, the generic component of Viagra, accounted for 85,244 active-duty prescriptions in 2025. Tadalafil, the generic equivalent of Cialis, saw 22,880 prescriptions. Niche treatments like Edex also saw use, with 197 prescriptions issued to active troops in 2025.
Dependents of active-duty members also received a significant number of prescriptions, with 5,264 filled in 2025. While sildenafil can be prescribed off-label for cardiovascular conditions, the volume suggests its use for erectile dysfunction among male spouses. Retired service members accounted for a substantial portion of the total prescriptions, with 268,678 for sildenafil and 221,940 for tadalafil in 2025.