Regular Use of Painkillers Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

Men who regularly take Tylenol, Advil, Motrin and other commonly used over-the-counter painkillers could be at an increased risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), according to U.S. researchers. 

A new study on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by researchers from Kaiser Permanente was published in the February 21 edition of the Journal of Urology. The researchers found that men who regularly took Tylenol and other NSAIDs were more than twice as likely to suffer erectile dysfunction.

The study looked at nearly 81,000 men between the ages of 45 and 69 in California. Researchers used self-reporting data and pharmacy records to check for NSAID use and assessed whether the men suffered erectile dysfunction through questionnaires. The men who said they regularly used NSAIDs were 2.4 times more likely to report having problems achieving an erection than men who did not. The researchers adjusted the findings to account for other commonly known causes of erectile dysfunction, including smoking, diabetes, and hypertension, among other factors.

The findings, which are similar to the results of smaller studies, are surprising to some experts, because erectile dysfunction is often linked to circulation and heart problems, which NSAIDs can often address. However, some recent studies have shown that some NSAIDs can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems in both healthy people and people already suffering from heart disease. A study published last year by Danish researchers found that some NSAIDs increased the risk of heart attack, stroke and death from cardiovascular problems.

Researchers involved in the study have floated theories that suggest increasing circulation and blood flow through treatment may have unknown detrimental effects on erectile function. It is still too early to declare a causal link between medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, according to the researchers. They indicate that men who have been prescribed NSAIDs should continue to use them.