Pain Relievers Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs for short, have been linked with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction. This finding was NOT what the investigators expected.
In 2002 researchers associated with Kaiser Permanente Southern California in San Diego started enrolling men in the California Men’s Health Study. Eventually more than 80,000 men participated in this long term health survey. The researchers tracked the subject’s use of NSAIDs and their likelihood of developing ED. After adjusting the data for things like age, smoking history, diabetes, body mass index and heart disease there was a 38 percent increased risk of ED associated with regular use of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Such epidemiological studies do not prove cause and effect, but this is not the first study to link erectile dysfunction to NSAID use. A small Finnish study also found a connection. Given that NSAIDs also have other side effects such as stomach upset, hypertension and a risk for cardiovascular complications, long-term use should be monitored carefully by a health care provider.

[Journal of Urology, April, 2011]