Ibuprofen and Erectile Dysfunction: What to Know
November 12, 2024
4 mins
Ibuprofen is one of the most popular over-the-counter medications. You can find it under the brand names Advil and Motrin.
You can pick up ibuprofen from your local drugstore for quick pain relief and to relieve symptoms of a fever. When taking ibuprofen, you may experience some possible side effects including erectile dysfunction (ED). Men with ED experience an inability to reach or maintain a full erection during sexual intercourse.
While there is still not enough research on whether ibuprofen directly causes changes to erectile function, some existing research suggests that taking ibuprofen regularly may increase the risk of ED.
What is Ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) used to treat pain, inflammation, and fever. High levels of inflammation in the body can increase the risk of infections and chronic health conditions. Ibuprofen reduces levels of inflammation throughout the body.
While there is plenty of ibuprofen available over-the-counter, a licensed healthcare provider can also prescribe it to treat certain symptoms or health conditions.
How much ibuprofen can you take?
When taking ibuprofen, be sure to not take more than the recommended dosage. Health experts recommend taking one to two tablets (200 to 400 mg) every four to six hours. It’s not recommended to take more than 1200 milligrams (mg) of ibuprofen a day.
What are other side effects of ibuprofen?
It’s possible to experience worsening gastrointestinal symptoms and some cardiovascular symptoms while taking ibuprofen.
Other side effects of ibuprofen include:
Dizziness
Constipation
Nervousness
Bloating
Gas
Be sure to stop taking unprescribed ibuprofen right away if you experience any side effects and see no improvements in your symptoms.
How Can Ibuprofen Cause ED?
Ibuprofen stops the production of substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. While doing so, it’s also possible that taking ibuprofen for an extended period of time can impact the endocrine system.
Changes to the endocrine system can trigger erectile dysfunction. The endocrine system consists of glands and organs in the body that produce hormones.
One study suggests that regular use of ibuprofen can cause an underproduction of sex hormones or hypogonadism. This means that women may not produce enough hormones in the ovaries and men will not produce enough in the testes. A lack of sex hormones can result in a low libido.
The prolonged use of ibuprofen is more likely to cause ED than old age alone. Another study found that men who used ibuprofen three times a day or more were more likely to experience ED.
Can ibuprofen improve erectile dysfunction?
While research is limited, one study suggests that ibuprofen could help improve erectile dysfunction. In the study, a man saw improvements in erectile function after using ibuprofen for a dental procedure. However, other factors may have also contributed to an improvement in erectile function.
Can Other NSAIDs Cause ED?
ED is considered a possible side effect of most NSAIDs. One study found that NSAIDs like Indocin (indomethacin) and Celebrex (celecoxib) caused erectile dysfunction in some men. Both of these NSAIDs are also used for pain relief and reducing inflammation.
Research shows that NSAIDs can reduce prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins are substances in the body that play a key role in the production of hormones.One study of men between the ages of 45 to 69 showed there was a 22% chance of participants experiencing ED while taking an NSAID because of a reduction in prostaglandins.
Key point: Can Tylenol Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is another commonly used pain reliever that could potentially block the production of sex hormones in the body. Unlike ibuprofen, Tylenol is not an NSAID. Current research doesn’t indicate ED as a side effect of acetaminophen.
What are the Other Possible Causes of ED?
Erectile dysfunction is a common condition that men experience as they age. However, it’s still possible to experience ED as a young adult for various reasons.
Common causes of erectile dysfunction
Common causes of erectile dysfunction regardless of age include:
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Chronic kidney disease
Bladder cancer
Multiple sclerosis
Nerve damage
Different lifestyle factors can increase your risk of ED. For example, smoking tobacco can cause changes in erectile function. Other lifestyle factors like drinking alcohol excessively can increase your risk of ED.
Frequently going through periods of high stress and anxiety can also increase your risk of erectile dysfunction over time.
How Rex MD Can Help
ED can be difficult to discuss with your loved ones. Rex MD provides access to erectile dysfunction medications including Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil).
Rex MD can connect you with a licensed physician who can help you get the medications you need to manage your health from home.
Visit our website to learn more about how to get started.
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