Can Ibuprofen Cause or Help With Erectile Dysfunction?
The evidence on ibuprofen and erectile dysfunction is mixed, but long-term NSAID use has been linked to erection problems without being proven to cause them.
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The evidence on ibuprofen and erectile dysfunction is mixed, but long-term use of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs has been linked to erection problems, without being proven to cause them. The likely mechanism is reduced prostaglandin activity, which plays a role in erections. Interestingly, aspirin — another anti-inflammatory — appears to help one type of erectile dysfunction, so not all NSAIDs behave the same way.
If you take ibuprofen occasionally for pain, this is rarely a concern. The questions arise mainly with regular, long-term use, and even then the science is not clear-cut.
Does ibuprofen cause erectile dysfunction?
It may contribute in some men, but a direct cause has not been established. Long-term ibuprofen use can interfere with maintaining an erection, and the relationship between NSAIDs and sexual health is genuinely mixed in the research. So while there is a plausible link, ibuprofen should not be assumed to be the cause of erectile dysfunction in any individual case.
The role of prostaglandins
Prostaglandins are chemicals that help produce an erection. Because NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil) reduce the release of prostaglandins, long-term use could, in theory, make erections harder to maintain. This is the main biological reason the two are linked. Curiously, in one case report a patient noted improved erectile function and libido after a single 600 mg dose of ibuprofen — an unusual exception rather than the rule.
What the research says
Larger studies point to an association, not proof. A study in The Journal of Urology found that middle-aged men who regularly took NSAIDs were more likely to have erection problems than men who took them less often or not at all. However, the study did not prove that NSAIDs cause erectile dysfunction, and further investigation is needed. Some men on NSAIDs also take proton pump inhibitors, which have themselves been associated with erectile dysfunction, adding to the complexity.
Aspirin is different
Not every anti-inflammatory affects erections the same way. A 2020 meta-analysis in the American Journal of Men's Health found that aspirin seems to help in treating arterial erectile dysfunction. This suggests the relationship between NSAIDs and erectile function is nuanced, and that the effect depends on the specific drug and the cause of the problem. The vascular angle connects to our guide on whether statins improve erectile dysfunction.
What to do
The sensible approach is not to stop a prescribed medicine on your own. If your doctor has recommended an NSAID, keep taking it unless advised otherwise; if you are worried about its effect on your erections, raise it with them so you can weigh the risks and benefits together. To work on the underlying causes, see how to reverse erectile dysfunction, and for the wider impact, how erectile dysfunction affects a man. You can return to the male sexual dysfunction section for more.
Frequently asked questions
- Can ibuprofen cause erection problems?
- Long-term use has been associated with them, but a direct cause has not been proven. Occasional use is rarely a concern.
- Should I stop taking ibuprofen?
- Not on your own if it was prescribed. Discuss any concerns with your doctor first.
- Does aspirin help erectile dysfunction?
- Research suggests aspirin may help arterial erectile dysfunction, unlike some other NSAIDs.