Here's yet another reason for men to use pain relievers cautiously: The largest class of those drugs may cause erectile dysfunction.

Finnish researchers surveyed some 1,100 men ages 50 to 70 about their use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include most over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (generic, Advil, Motrin I, and naproxen (generic, Aleve). They also asked how often the men experienced erectile dysfunction, the inability to achieve or maintain an erection.

The men who were taking NSAIDs were nearly twice as likely to have erectile dysfunction as the nonusers. (That figure was statistically adjusted to account for various medical conditions that could distort the results.)

The researchers theorize that NSAIDs may diminish the body's release of nitric oxide, a chemical needed to achieve erections. Erectile-dysfunction drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra) work by stimulating nitric-oxide release.

In addition to that side effect, prolonged use of NSAIDs increases certain serious risks: high blood pressure, heart attack, stomach bleeding, and kidney and liver damage. So an alternative drug, acetaminophen (generic, Panadol, Tylenol), is generally the best first choice for mild-to-moderate pain, though it too may harm the liver.

Men who experience erectile problems should consult their physician to rule out an underlying disorder that could be causing the problem, such as cardiovascular disease. If they're taking an NSAID and have no such disorder, they should consider switching to acetaminophen--or asking their physician to prescribe an erection-boosting medication.

Source: http://www.consumerreports.org