New study links pain relievers to erectile dysfunction

By Mary Brophy Marcus,
USA TODAY

Men who regularly take pain relievers such as ibuprofen and aspirin may be at increased risk for erectile dysfunction, new research suggests.

Men who use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) three times a day for more than three months are at a 22% increased risk of erectile dysfunction, reports Steve Jacobsen, director of research for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, in this week's Journal of Urology.

"Regular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use is associated with erectile dysfunction beyond what would be expected due to age and other conditions," he says.

More than 30 million people a day take these prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers.

The observational study, which began in 2002, included 80,966 men ages 45 to 69 who were members of Kaiser managed care plans in California. Erectile dysfunction was assessed by questionnaire and NSAID use was determined using pharmacy records and self-reported data.

(More here.)