Can ibuprofen cause erectile dysfunction?

Ibuprofen is known to be an effective pain reliever. However, research suggests that long-term use of this drug may lead to erection problems.

Unpleasant side effect of ibuprofen

If you seek help from ibuprofen for headaches only from time to time, then you can not worry. Everything is fine. But if you're taking it twice a day, and it happens daily, then it's worth considering.

Studies published in the US show that men who take high doses of ibuprofen for several months may develop compensated hypogonadism.

Symptoms of hypogonadism commonly seen in older men and smokers include erectile dysfunction, fatigue, fertility problems, and muscle loss.

Ibuprofen inhibits testosterone production

Study men aged 18 to 35 took 600 mg twice daily for six weeks. Symptoms of hypogonadism, including erectile dysfunction, began to appear after two weeks. Why? Ibuprofen has been found to reduce the amount of testosterone produced.

After a drop in testosterone levels, the pituitary gland increases the production of other hormones to try to compensate for this decrease. The load on the pituitary gland increases.

The good news is that these symptoms are reversible, but there is concern that men who take ibuprofen regularly may experience other unpleasant side effects.

What to do if erection problems are caused by ibuprofen?

"Our immediate concern is the ability to conceive in men who use these drugs for a long time," says study co-author David Maubjerg Christensen. "This drug is a good pain reliever, but many people underestimate its side effects," he said.

If you regularly take ibuprofen and are worried that it will cause erectile dysfunction, stop taking the drug immediately and talk to your doctor.

If you have already begun to experience symptoms of ED, this is most likely reversible, and until this happens, the doctor may prescribe a drug, such as Cialis or Viagra, which helps most men.