Ibuprofen- the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is commonly recommended to treat pain or inflammation caused by various conditions such as a headache, arthritis, toothache, and back pain. This medication works by reducing hormones that trigger inflammation and pain in the body.
However, a new study reveals that taking Ibuprofen can lower the amount of testosterone a man produces. This was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. With the confirmations of the study, it seemed like the reduced testosterone levels actually lead to male infertility.
In the real sense, Ibuprofen lowers the Luteinizing hormone level in men who take it. The LH sparks testosterone production, but normally, when one level is low the body will move ahead to solve the matter by raising another hormone level.
While the new findings seem critical, a fertility expert, Dr. Lisa Hansard of Texas Fertility Center explained that there is a little controversy
“a majority of men who take Ibuprofen don’t have fertility issues and a big number of men who don’t take Ibuprofen have fertility issues.
Commonly, men take supplements to boost their testosterone levels, but some of these supplements may be the reason behind their infertility issues- a high level of testosterone isn’t ideally good
Studies concerning Ibuprofen must clear the actual impact that the drug has on sperm count and quality. In today’s era, male infertility is estimated to be 25%, one of the commonest reasons for conception issues in couples.
A study conducted in years back indicated that women who use Ibuprofen may cause their male babies to have undescended testicles, but any discussions pertaining this was ignored and buried. Generally, women and men should watch their Ibuprofen intake, however helpful it may be, especially when your medical history may trigger infertility.
The issue of Ibuprofen causing male infertility should not be taken for granted, but further studies must be taken to ascertain the actual effect it has on male semen and sperms. In India, the issue of female infertility is louder than male infertility, but the rate of male-factor infertility can affect every couple.
Yes, women have various factors that can hinder conception such as blocked Fallopian tubes, irregular periods, endometriosis, PCOS, hormonal imbalances among others, but males must also take up a responsibility to forego various habits that are risk factors for male infertility such as;
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Obesity
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Smoking and use of illicit drugs
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Alcoholism
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Living a sedentary life among others
Probably male infertility is ignored because it only centers around sperms and another fact is that donor sperm or surgical procedures like TESA and MESA can be performed to retrieve sperms from the epididymis.
Once obtained, the sperms artificially be inseminated in a woman, a procedure called Intrauterine Insemination or used in the IVF or ICSI procedures
But, latest studies explain that male babies born through ICSI procedures have a greater chance of suffering from male infertility in the future. With this, males have to become keen when it comes to their fertility status and not focusing the finger on females
