Aspirin and Sexual Side Effects: What We Know

Short answer: Low libido is not a commonly recognized side effect of aspirin, and major drug references do not list decreased sexual desire among typical aspirin adverse effects. ^{[1] [2]} That said, sexual health is multifactorial, and some users may notice changes in libido due to other conditions or medications taken alongside aspirin. ^{[1] [2]}

What official sources say

• Authoritative drug monographs for aspirin detail gastrointestinal, bleeding, allergic, and rare systemic side effects but do not list decreased libido as a typical adverse effect. ^{[1] [2]}
• Over‑the‑counter labels and professional drug information emphasize risks like stomach bleeding, allergic reactions, and interactions, with no mention of sexual desire changes. ^{[3] [4]}

Research overview

• Reviews of antithrombotic agents suggest the relationship between aspirin and erectile dysfunction is inconsistent, ranging from neutral to possibly beneficial in certain contexts; decreased libido is not clearly supported. [PM13] This contrasts with some other antiplatelets (e.g., clopidogrel) that show stronger links to sexual dysfunction in men. [PM13]

Bottom line: Based on current evidence and official references, aspirin is unlikely to directly cause low libido for most people. ^{[1] [2]}

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If libido drops while taking aspirin: possible explanations

• Other medications: Beta‑blockers, certain antidepressants (SSRIs), antipsychotics, opioids, and some diuretics are well known to affect libido and sexual function. This broader medication effect is described across pharmacology reviews of sexual side effects. [PM14]
• Underlying health issues: Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, and hormonal imbalances (low testosterone) can reduce libido, and many of these conditions are reasons people take aspirin.
• Pain and stress: If you use aspirin for pain, the pain itself (and stress about health) can dampen sexual desire.
• Alcohol and lifestyle: Alcohol, smoking, inactivity, and poor sleep can reduce libido.

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Practical steps to cope

1) Review all medications

• Make a list of everything you take (prescription, OTC, supplements) and discuss with a clinician to identify drugs more likely to affect libido. ^[1] This is important because aspirin is often taken with other agents that may be the true contributors. ^[1]

2) Check overall health

• Consider screening for depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, diabetes, thyroid issues, and low testosterone, as these commonly reduce libido.

3) Optimize lifestyle

• Exercise regularly, aim for adequate sleep, limit alcohol, quit smoking, and manage stress; these changes often improve sexual desire.

4) Address pain and mood

• If pain relief is the goal, work with your clinician on multimodal pain strategies (physical therapy, mindfulness, non‑sedating options) to lessen reliance on medications linked to sexual side effects. [PM14]

5) Medication adjustments

• If another drug is suspected, ask about dose adjustments or switching to alternatives with lower sexual side‑effect risk. Pharmacology reviews note meaningful differences among drug classes and even within a class (for example, some blood pressure medicines have fewer sexual side effects). [PM14]

6) When to seek medical care

• Seek prompt care for red‑flag aspirin effects like black/tarry stools, vomiting blood, severe stomach pain, or allergic reactions, as these require immediate attention and may indirectly impact overall wellbeing and sexual function. ^{[1] [2]}

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Should you stop aspirin?

• Do not stop aspirin without medical advice, especially if it was recommended for heart or stroke prevention. Stopping abruptly may raise cardiovascular risk; discuss concerns and alternatives with your clinician. ^[1]

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Key takeaways

• Low libido is not a typical aspirin side effect per major drug references. ^{[1] [2]}
• If libido changes occur, look for other causes such as co‑medications, health conditions, and lifestyle factors. [PM14]
• Work with a clinician to review medications, screen for underlying issues, and tailor safe adjustments rather than stopping aspirin on your own. ^[1]