Aspirin NSAID has been linked to Erectile Dysfunction

Few drugs have as long and solid a reputation for being both safe and beneficial as aspirin does. That reputation is now under threat by a report to be published in the April 2011 issue of the Journal of Urology . Regular use of aspirin and drugs like it may be linked to erectile dysfunction.  

The drugs under investigation are known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Aside from aspirin, this also includes other prominent painkillers like ibuprofen and naproxen.

The study surveyed 80,966 men aged 45 to 69, all enrolled in Kaiser Permanente health plans. The men were questioned on numerous health topics and in addition to questionnaires the researchers made use of Kaiser Permanente's pharmacy records.

The researchers found that among those who reported regular use of NSAID - a prescription or daily use at least five days per week - there was a 22% higher instance of erectile dysfunction, when compared to men who did not regularly take painkillers. Of the surveyed men, 47.4% made regular use of NSAID.

Even taking into account factors such as age, weight, diabetes, hypertension and cholesterol, the study authors consider the correlation significant. "Regular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use is associated with erectile dysfunction beyond what would be expected due to age and other conditions," said Dr. Steve Jacobsen , the director of research for Kaiser Permanente Southern Californa.

NSAID Drugs block the hormones

They researchers speculate that the drugs block the hormones that govern over male erections. It must be stressed, however, that as of yet no laboratory studies have been conducted to either confirm or deny this theory.

One would do well not to throw out the aspirin until such experiments have been performed. Erectile dysfunction is generally believed to be caused by problems in blood circulation or inflammatory issues. If this is the case, aspirin should help fight erectile dysfunction and this new report flies in the face of current medical research.

Men who suffer from severe circulation problems, such as heart disease, are more likely to have erectile problems. The penile arteries, which supply blood to the erectile tissues, are small and so often become blocked early. By the time heart problems set in, erectile dysfunction is often already a fact. Those men are more likely than others to be taking aspirin regularly, perhaps even as part of aspirin therapy, because aside from giving pain-relief it is an anticoagulant which thins the blood and increases circulation.

Related article: : Men With ED Are At Risk Of Heart Attack

This could explain why more men who take aspirin regularly have erectile problems.  It also suggests that aspirin could help manage erectile dysfunction. Being anti-inflammatory, could also be expected to prevent and even reverse erectile dysfunction caused by inflammation.

Aside from managing heart disease, regular use of aspirin has been shown to increase life expectancy and prevent prostate cancer. If the findings of Kaiser Permanente prove to be true, many will find themselves with a difficult choice to make.