Ibuprofen is usually quite effective in relieving mild to moderate pain. But research has found that long-term use of the painkiller could be problematic for erectile function.
If you’re taking ibuprofen once in a while for a headache, don’t worry. You’re in the clear. But if you’re taking it twice a day, every day, you may want to talk to your doctor.
The results of new research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences indicates that men who take high doses of ibuprofen over several months may develop compensated hypogonadism.
Normally seen in older men and smokers, hypogonadism symptoms include erectile dysfunction, fatigue, fertility issues, and muscle loss.
Ibuprofen Trims Testosterone Output
The men in the study, who were between 18 and 35, took 600 milligrams of ibuprofen twice a day for six weeks, but the symptoms of hypogonadism — including erectile dysfunction — started showing up after just two weeks. Why? The theory is that the ibuprofen decreased the amount of testosterone being produced.
When the men’s testosterone was decreased, the pituitary gland increased production of another hormone to try to increase testosterone. This caused the pituitary gland to work harder.
On the good news front, researchers believe that the effects are reversible, but they worry that men who use ibuprofen regularly could see “more adverse effects.”
Long-Term Use Is Major Concern
“Our immediate concern is for the fertility of men who use these drugs for a long time,” says David Mobjerg Kristensen, one of the authors of the study. “These compounds are good painkillers,” but a number of people underestimate their strength, he said.
If you’ve been taking regular doses of ibuprofen and worry that it’s been causing erectile dysfunction, stop taking the drug immediately and talk with your doctor.
The results are likely reversible, but if you’re still experiencing erectile dysfunction, there are options. Your doctor can prescribe Viagra, Cialis, or another oral ED drug, which are effective for most men. You can often save time and money by ordering your ED medications from longtime online facilitator eDrugstore.com, in business since the late 1990s. If you don’t have a prescription, eDrugstore can even arrange a complimentary online consultation with a licensed U.S. physician who can authorize one if appropriate. To learn more, visit eDrugstore’s Erectile Dysfunction page.
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