Regular and long-term use of ibuprofen disrupts the function of the testicles, which may deteriorate fertility, according to the latest research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Males from developed countries are increasingly experiencing fertility problems caused by insufficient sperm counts or their poor quality. Scientists suspect that the main causes of this are disruptions in the endocrine system and hormone production, which may be caused, inter alia, by influence of various substances present in our environment or in the diet. For example, previous research has shown that pain medications used by pregnant women can have anti-androgenic effects on the male fetus and contribute to the development of birth defects in male offspring. However, it is not known how they affect the endocrine system of adult men.
To test this, scientists from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, together with colleagues from France and China, gave a group of 31 young volunteers (aged 18-35) a popular anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug ibuprofen for six weeks. The daily dose of the drug was 600 mg (three tablets). The second group, the so-called control, received placebo tablets at the same time. During the study, the hormone levels in men were monitored and the sperm production process was checked.
It turned out that the regular use of ibuprofen caused an increase in the blood level of luteinizing hormone (LH) after just two weeks, which affects the cells of the testicles responsible for the production of testosterone (Leydig cells). This was accompanied by deterioration of testicular function, incl. their ability to produce testosterone, which is a symptom characteristic of the so-called hypogonadism. This disorder leads to problems with sperm production and a decline in fertility.
Tissue culture experiments from human testes confirmed that ibuprofen blocked the ability of Leydig cells to produce testosterone.
As noted by the authors of the study, the hypogonadism observed in volunteers was transient and leveled out. Scientists speculate, however, that long-term use of ibuprofen, for example due to pain, may lead to a more severe form of hypogonadism, with decreased libido, muscle mass and mood disorders.
In their opinion, more research is needed to find out.