Ibuprofen’s Anti-androgenic Effect May Result in Hypogonadism in Males Save

PNAS reports use of ibuprofen by males may result in antiandrogen effects that may contribute to adult male reproductive problems.

Young men exposed to ibuprofen show changes of “compensated hypogonadism," a condition usually seen among elderly men and associated with reproductive and physical disorders. In the men, luteinizing hormone (LH) and ibuprofen plasma levels were positively correlated, and the testosterone/LH ratio decreased.

Researchers used a combination of a randomized, controlled clinical trial and ex vivo and in vitro approaches, and found a univocal depression of testicular function, including testosterone production, after use of over-the-counter ibuprofen.

Also, ibuprofen use results in selective transcriptional repression of endocrine cells in the human testis. This repression results in the elevation of the stimulatory pituitary hormones, resulting in a state of compensated hypogonadism.

Thes findings show ibuprofen alters the endocrine system via selective transcriptional repression in the human testes, thereby inducing compensated hypogonadism.