Long term use of back pain medication has been linked to Erectile Dysfunction in males in a study published in the journal Spine.
It appears from the examination of pharmacy and medical records that men taking high doses of back pain medication were much more likely to use medication for erectile dysfunction than men not using pain medication.
The report comes from analyzing the records of 11,327 men in Washington and Oregon that saw their doctor in 2004 for back pain. They then looked at the men's prescription use six months prior, and six months after their back pain visit.
It was found that 19 percent of men with four months or more of high-dose opioid use were also prescribed some form of erectile dysfunction medication. Opioid medications like OxyContin are known to dull sexual stimuli and lower testosterone too.
One leading researcher these numbers are most likely higher because most men are too embarrassed to seek help for ED problems and Erectile Dysfunction Aids.
While many men may seriously need their back pain medication, you and your doctor should be aware of the possible side effects of these drugs, especially at higher doses.
