What you need to know about male fertility and ibuprofen use
Wondering if pain relievers can cause male infertility? One small study recently found a potential link between male fertility and ibuprofen use. But don’t panic. Our San Antonio fertility doctors explain what you need to know – before you purge your medicine cabinet.
More about the study on male fertility and ibuprofen use
With male fertility on the decline around the globe, Danish and French researchers were interested in the link between male fertility and ibuprofen use.
The researchers looked at 31 athletic men between the ages of 18 and 35. Half of them took the maximum dose of ibuprofen every day for two weeks. The rest of the men received a placebo. When comparing the men before and after the study, the researchers made some observations:
- Testicular problems were more common in the men who took ibuprofen, which could make it more difficult for them to have a child.
- Ibuprofen also seemed to harm the pituitary gland’s ability to produce testosterone. This is a vital hormone for sperm production.
These findings aren’t surprising. A large body of research suggests that long-term ibuprofen use can affect our health. For example, it can cause heart disease, stroke, gastrointestinal problems and female infertility.
What these findings mean for men
It might seem that the link between male fertility and ibuprofen use is clear, but the study was small and short-term. This means that more research is needed.
At this point, experts suggest that any negative effects of ibuprofen use on male fertility are likely reversible. But men may want to rethink taking ibuprofen every day. The recommendation is for men to talk with their doctor before they take it for more than three days in a row.
Contact us to schedule an appointment with our San Antonio fertility doctors to find out more about male fertility – and how to protect it.