Arthritis Products and ED

Arthritis Pain Relief Products Linked to Erectile Dysfunction

Men with arthritis who use the common pain killers NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to control joint and muscle pain may find they are affecting their performance in the bedroom.

¹A just published study indicates men who regularly use NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Brand names Advil, I-Profen, Brufen, Brufen Retard,)* and naproxen (Brand names Aleve, Naxen, Naprosyn SR, Synflex)* experience significantly more problems with sexual performance and erectile dysfunction (ED) than men who don't.

Results from the Finnish study with more than 1,100 Finnish men between 50 and 70 years of age found that erectile dysfunction (ED) was much higher among NSAID users than among non-users. The study is published in the May issue of the Journal of Urology. ¹

Erectile dysfunction more common amongst men with arthritis:

The study showed arthritis was the most common reason for using the drugs and sexual dysfunction is more common among arthritis sufferers, even those who don't take NSAIDs.

The occurrence of erectile dysfunction with arthritis

Men with arthritis showed a 30 percent increase in erectile dysfunction.
The occurrence of erectile dysfunction with NSAIDs
Erectile dysfunction more than doubled among men who took NSAIDs.
A summary of the findings linking erectile dysfunction to arthritis pain relief products:

•     The prevalence of erectile dysfunction among ALL the men in the study was 52 cases per 1000 person-years (person-years is a statistical measure of how long a person has been exposed to or observed with a particular condition).

•     Erectile dysfunction rates among NSAID users 93 cases per 1000 person-years.

•     Erectile dysfunction rates among NSAID users who also had arthritis: 97 cases per 1000 person-years.

•    Erectile dysfunction among non-users of NSAIDs who did not suffer from arthritis: 35 cases per 1000 person-years.

The report noted the relationship between arthritis pain relief products and erectile dysfunction needs to be explored more thoroughly. The study did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship between use of arthritis pain relief products and erectile dysfunction. But it suggested men who take these medications daily or frequently should be cautious, especially if they already have other risk factors for erectile dysfunction, such as diabetes or cigarette smoking.

Alternative arthritis pain relief products

There are alternatives to NSAIDs available to help in managing pain from arthritis, sport injuries, or joint and muscle strain. Alternative medicine options like bee sting therapy (the therapeutic use of bee products) emu oil (combined with bee venom in BV Relief cream), supplements and herbs, stress control and diet and exercise can all play a part.

Bee Venom for Arthritis

Chemical studies show bee venom contains a number of powerful anti-inflammatory substances, including at least 50% melittin, said to be a hundred times more powerful as an anti inflammatory than hydrocortisone.

Emu Oil and Arthritis

Sportspeople around the world are discovering something Australia's Aborigine people have known for thousands of years – emu oil is an antiseptic and anti inflammatory with the ability to penetrate the skin more deeply and effectively than most other oils.

Herbal Products and Arthritis

Chrondoitin and Glucosamine, Fish Oil, Ginger, Curcumin (Turmeric) and a range of other herbs and supplements have shown promise for some people in managing joint and muscle pain.
Other herbs which can be helpful in improving erectile dysfunction include Ginseng, Maca, Muira Puama, and Tongkat ali.

Am I taking an NSAID?

Common brand names for the most popular NSAID's are different in different parts of the world. Below is a list of the names under which two of the most popular, ibuprofen and naproxen are commonly sold in different countries.

Ibuprofen Brand Names:

Advil, Advil® Migraine Liqui-Gels, Genpril, Haltran, Menadol, Midol, Motrin, Nuprin, Actiprofen, (Canada); Apo-Ibuprofen, (Canada); Butacortelone (Mexico), Dibufen (Mexico), Kedvil (Mexico), Novo-Profen (Canada), Nu-Ibuprofen (Canada), Proartinal (Mexico), Quadrax (Mexico), Tabalon (Mexico).In New Zealand: I-Profen, Brufen, Brufen Retard.
Naproxen brand names:

Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox, Anaprox DS, EC-Naproxyn, Naprelan, Naprapac, Apo-Naproxen, (Canada); Atiflan (Mexico), Atiquim® (Mexico), Dafloxen (Mexico), Faraxen (Mexico), Flanax (Mexico), Flexen (Mexico), Flogen (Mexico), Fuxen (Mexico), Naprodil (Mexico), Naxen (Canada), Naxen, (Mexico); Naxil (Mexico), Novo-Naprox (Canada);,Nu-Naprox (Canada), Pactens (Mexico), Pronaxil (Mexico), Supradol (Mexico), Velsay (Mexico). In New Zealand: Naxen, Naprosyn SR, Synflex

1. Effect of Non steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use on the incidence of Erectile Dysfunction, R Shin, et al, The Journal of Urology , Vol 175, Isuue 5, Pages 1812-1816 (May 2006)