Painkillers Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

Monday May 15, 2006

A recent study published in the Journal of Urology is linking the class of painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to incidence of erectile dysfunction in men over 50. The possibility of a connection between painkillers and ED isn't new, but this study is exciting in that researchers were able to use the data to clearly show a link between the use of NSAIDs and ED.

When studying ED it can be hard to determine whether it is caused by an underlying condition, or by treatments and medications that are used to treat the condition. The researchers in this study noted a significant difference between incidence of ED in the group of men with arthritis who were not taking NSAIDs, and those who were, which, in a preliminary way (this is the first study of its kind to make this link) allows them to imply that the medications are having a significant impact on the incidence of ED.