Both ibuprofen and paracetamol are very common medications that are used all around the world. This is mainly because they help to relieve non-specific pain or discomfort. But do they affect male and/or female fertility? We will explain it below.
Do paracetamol and ibuprofen affect the fertility?
Within the population of reproductive age, this is a common concern. In the case of paracetamol (an analgesic and antipyretic medicine) the answer is negative, as there is no study showing that its use is harmful to fertility.
However, the same is not the case with ibuprofen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). According to the latest related studies, high doses of ibuprofen can affect both male and female fertility.
In the case of men, as explained in the study "Ibuprofen alters human testicular physiology to produce a state of compensated hypogonadism", published in the prestigious scientific journal "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America" (PNAS), there is a clear link between the regular consumption of ibuprofen in young men and the appearance of hormonal alterations directly related to male infertility .
On the other hand, in the case of women, it is important to remember that ibuprofen is very commonly used by women to relieve severe pain during menstruation. Sometimes, these pains are one of the symptoms of endometriosis, which itself is related to reproductive problems.
Ibuprofen and pregnancy
"Can pregnant women take ibuprofen?" or "What are the contraindications of ibuprofen in pregnancy?" are some of the most common doubts that pregnant women have about the use of this anti-inflammatory drug.
During pregnancy, it is very important to know which medicines can and cannot be taken. To be on the safe side, we recommend that you always consult your doctor.
Today, around 30% of pregnant women take ibuprofen at some point during their pregnancy. It is therefore essential to highlight the importance of the first weeks for the correct development of the foetus, and to emphasise that it is recommended to avoid taking ibuprofen after the 32nd week of pregnancy, due to the high risk of malformations during its formation. Furthermore, according to the latest research on the relationship between ibuprofen and pregnancy, its consumption by the pregnant mother can affect the hormonal development of the baby. In girls, it affects the reduction in the number of germ cells in the ovaries (eggs in the future), and in the case of boys, it can affect the testicular area, and consequently, future spermatozoa.
Paracetamol and pregnancy
It is widely believed that paracetamol is safe to take during pregnancy. The truth is that the latest studies suggest that prolonged use of paracetamol during pregnancy could cause fertility problems in male babies.
Similarly, to the question: "Can I take paracetamol if I am pregnant?", the answer is yes, paracetamol is not prohibited during pregnancy. What should be avoided is excessive consumption of paracetamol.
Finally, we would like to stress the importance of following medical guidelines when taking any medication, especially during pregnancy, as the consequences of improper use can be serious for both mothers and future babies.
