Can Naproxen Cause Sexual Side Effects? The Link Between NSAIDs and Erectile Dysfunction

Naproxen (Aleve) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that relieves pain and inflammation. Naproxen and other NSAIDs are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S.

While naproxen improves quality of life for millions of people each year, it’s not perfect. Naproxen and other NSAIDs can cause side effects, including some that may be surprising — like sexual side effects. 

If you’re taking NSAIDs and have noticed sexual side effects, such as erectile dysfunction, here’s what you need to know about how naproxen can affect you sexually.

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What are the side effects of naproxen?

NSAIDs make up 10% of all prescriptions filled each year in the U.S. This makes them one of the most commonly used medications and, by extension, some of the most carefully studied medications. 

Researchers know quite a bit about the side effects of naproxen and other NSAIDs. But they still don’t know everything. The most well-studied side effects are:

• Upset stomach and reflux

• Gut irritation and bleeding

• Ulcers

• High blood pressure

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Kidney injury

Serious complications, like heart attacks and strokes, can happen when you take NSAIDs, but they’re not very common. Upset stomach, reflux, and gut irritation are the most common side effects, but even those don’t happen too often. 

Scientists are still studying side effects of naproxen and other NSAIDs. Just because a side effect isn’t listed right now doesn’t mean it won’t be discovered as a side effect in the future. 

In general, NSAIDs are very safe medications when used at recommended doses and for short periods of time. Most people don’t experience any side effects when taking naproxen or other NSAIDs. 

Can taking naproxen and other NSAIDs cause erectile dysfunction?

Maybe. In one large study, people who reported taking NSAIDs 3 times a day for more than 3 months were 2.4 times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction. 

The theory is that NSAIDs like naproxen and ibuprofen may be able to cause erectile dysfunction because they help stop prostaglandin production. Prostaglandin plays many roles in the body. One of its jobs is to dilate blood vessels in the penis so people can achieve an erection. So people with less prostaglandins can potentially develop erectile dysfunction. 

But newer studies say that while sexual side effects may exist, the risk is lower than previously reported. 

Yet other researchers suggest that NSAIDs may not cause erectile dysfunction at all. These researchers suggest that the reason for high rates of erectile dysfunction in older studies is simply a coincidence. They point out that after 50 years of age, there’s a 50% chance of developing erectile dysfunction. And that chance goes up if people have other medical conditions, like high cholesterol or blocked arteries. 

So it could have been that the people in the studies had erectile dysfunction for other reasons and not because they were taking NSAIDs. Since NSAIDs are a commonly prescribed medication, it’s natural to expect that some people over the age of 50 who were taking NSAIDs would also have erectile dysfunction.

So the relationship between sexual side effects and NSAIDs remains murky at best. Despite this, naproxen is still listed among medications that can lead to erectile dysfunction and male and female sexual dysfunction.  

Quiz: Is it erectile dysfunction?

Can antireflux medication lead to erectile dysfunction?

Yes. Antireflux medications are among the classes of medications that have been linked to erectile dysfunction.

Many people who take NSAIDs, like naproxen and ibuprofen, also need to take antireflux medications to combat side effects like upset stomach and reflux. 

Antireflux medications can also help protect the stomach and gut from acid damage. They help combat the risk of developing ulcers and gut irritation while taking NSAIDs.

But one drawback is that some antireflux medications can also cause erectile dysfunction. H2 blockers are a class of antireflux medications that are strongly linked to erectile dysfunction and include:

• Cimetidine (Tagamet) 

• Ranitidine (Zantac)

• Famotidine (Pepcid)

To avoid sexual side effects, people who take NSAIDs often turn to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) — another class of antireflux medications. PPIs include:

• Omeprazole

• Pantoprazole

• Esomeprazole

While PPIs aren’t strongly tied to sexual side effects, there have been reports of people developing erectile dysfunction while taking PPIs. While sexual side effects are uncommon, it’s worth keeping the risk in mind, especially when taking other medications that can potentially lead to erectile dysfunction. 

Tips for managing the sexual side effects of naproxen

Sexual side effects from naproxen are uncommon and unlikely. If you need naproxen to manage a medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider about ways to lower your risk of developing erectile dysfunction and other sexual side effects. Here are some tips:

• Take the lowest possible dose of naproxen for your condition.

• Take breaks from naproxen when possible.

• Swap other medications for options that aren’t known to cause erectile dysfunction.

• Start treatment for erectile dysfunction. 

Your healthcare provider may have additional tips that can help.

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Written by:

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, PhD

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist who has been practicing anesthesiology in a community hospital for 30 years. He has taught in the honors program at George Washington University for over 10 years and works as a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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