Research highlights alarming link to infertility

A recent study has caused concern that using
painkillers in pregnancy may have cause male fertility problems. Researchers
found that taking ibuprofen, aspirin, or paracetamol, or a combination of the
three, increased the probability that boys would be born with undescended
testicles. This condition, cryptorchidism, may cause cancer and poor semen
quality in later life. Experts said the discovery was “alarming” and that there
was an urgent need for further research.

The authors said women might want to
decrease their use of painkillers during. The study only involved boys but
researchers said girls might also be affected by painkiller use. Researchers
asked women in Finland and Denmark in a written questionnaire and a telephone
interview about their use of painkillers. It was found that those who gave
written answers may have underestimated their painkiller intake because they
did not consider them proper medicines.

Women who simultaneously used more than one
painkiller, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, apparently had a
seven-times-greater chance of giving birth to sons with some form of
cryptorchidism than women who took no painkillers. ~ London
Telegraph, Nov 9

Jared Yee
birth defects
infertility

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Michael Cook

Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.

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