Does Meloxicam Lower Testosterone? Understanding the NSAID's Hormonal Impact

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

While animal studies have shown that meloxicam can decrease testosterone levels, large-scale human studies have produced conflicting results regarding the same effect in men. This raises the critical question: Does meloxicam lower testosterone in people? (26 words)

Quick Summary

Meloxicam's effect on testosterone in humans is not clearly established, despite some animal studies suggesting a link. Research on NSAIDs shows mixed results, with significant factors like obesity, age, and chronic conditions playing a larger role in testosterone decline. Lifestyle changes are crucial for managing hormonal balance.

Key Points

Animal Studies Show Negative Effects: Several studies in male rats have shown that meloxicam can decrease serum testosterone levels and negatively impact reproductive parameters.
Human Data is Conflicting: While animal evidence suggests a link, large-scale human studies have not found a strong association between regular NSAID use and low testosterone in the general population.
Subgroup Risk May Exist: Older human research identified a potential link between prescription NSAID use and lower testosterone specifically in obese and inactive men.
Mechanism Involves Prostaglandins: NSAIDs like meloxicam work by inhibiting prostaglandins, which are involved in testicular function and can affect hormone synthesis.
Other NSAIDs Have Broader Effects: High-dose, chronic ibuprofen use has been shown to cause compensated hypogonadism, a hormonal imbalance, even if total testosterone levels remain stable.
Lifestyle Factors are More Significant: Obesity, poor sleep, chronic illness, and aging are much stronger and more common risk factors for low testosterone than meloxicam use.

The Pharmacology of Meloxicam

Meloxicam, a common prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) sold under brand names like Mobic and Vivlodex, is widely used to treat pain and inflammation from conditions like arthritis. Unlike older NSAIDs that inhibit both cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 enzymes, meloxicam is a preferential COX-2 inhibitor. By blocking the COX-2 enzyme, meloxicam reduces the production of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like lipids involved in inflammation and pain. This targeted approach is believed to cause fewer gastrointestinal side effects than non-selective NSAIDs. However, the role of prostaglandins extends beyond inflammation, influencing various bodily functions, including reproductive health and hormone regulation.

Animal Studies Suggest a Link

Research conducted on animals, specifically male rats, has demonstrated a direct link between meloxicam administration and decreased testosterone levels. In these studies, rats treated with meloxicam showed reduced serum testosterone, alongside negative effects on sperm production and motility. The mechanism is thought to be related to the inhibition of testicular prostaglandins, which are necessary for proper testicular function and hormone synthesis. While these animal studies provide a plausible biological mechanism, the findings do not directly translate to humans. Animal models are valuable for understanding potential pathways, but they do not account for the complexities of human physiology and the differences in drug metabolism.

Conflicting Evidence from Human Studies

Evidence from human research on whether meloxicam and other NSAIDs lower testosterone is inconsistent. This variation in findings makes it challenging to draw a definitive conclusion for the general population.

Early Studies and Subgroup Findings

An older observational survey, the Boston Area Community Health Survey, examined the association between prescription NSAID use and hormone levels in a large group of men. The overall analysis found no significant association between NSAID use and hormone levels. However, a stratified analysis revealed that prescription NSAID use was associated with lower testosterone levels in specific subgroups, namely obese and inactive men. This suggests that other pre-existing health factors or lifestyle habits could interact with the effects of NSAIDs, putting certain individuals at higher risk.

Large-Scale Study Finds No Link

In contrast, a more recent nationally representative sample of US men published in 2020 found no association between regular and chronic NSAID use and alterations in testosterone levels. This study, involving a much larger and more diverse population, provides a reassuring perspective for many patients and clinicians. The data indicated no significant impact on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the hormonal system that regulates testosterone production.

NSAID Class Effects: A Closer Look at Ibuprofen

It is also important to consider the broader context of NSAIDs. While meloxicam is a preferential COX-2 inhibitor, other NSAIDs have also been studied. A key study on ibuprofen, a non-selective NSAID, found that chronic, high-dose use in young men can produce a state of “compensated hypogonadism”. This means that while overall testosterone levels might remain stable due to compensatory mechanisms, the hormonal system is under stress, and the balance of key regulating hormones is disrupted. The findings for ibuprofen may not directly apply to meloxicam, but they underscore that NSAIDs have the potential to interfere with the male endocrine system, especially with chronic use.

The Broader Context of Low Testosterone

For most men, the primary drivers of low testosterone are not medications like meloxicam, but rather more common health and lifestyle factors. It is critical for individuals concerned about their hormone levels to evaluate these more significant contributors with their healthcare provider.

Factors Beyond Medication that Influence Testosterone

Aging: Testosterone levels naturally decline with age.
Obesity: Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, can convert testosterone into estrogen via the aromatase enzyme, lowering testosterone levels. Weight loss can significantly improve hormonal balance.
Chronic Illnesses: Conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, liver disease, kidney failure, and HIV/AIDS are linked with lower testosterone.
Poor Sleep: Inadequate or disrupted sleep, especially due to obstructive sleep apnea, can impair testosterone production.
Stress: Chronic stress and high cortisol levels can negatively impact testosterone production.
Excessive Alcohol: Heavy and excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect male reproductive health and hormone levels.
Other Medications: Certain drugs, such as chronic opioid use, can lead to decreased testosterone levels.

A Comparison of NSAID Effects

While both meloxicam and ibuprofen belong to the NSAID class, their hormonal effects appear to differ based on current research, especially concerning the length and dosage of use.


Feature	Meloxicam (Preferential COX-2 Inhibitor)	Ibuprofen (Non-selective COX Inhibitor)
Mechanism	Preferentially inhibits COX-2, reducing prostaglandins primarily involved in inflammation.	Inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2.
Animal Studies	Direct evidence shows decreased testosterone levels in male rats.	Also impacts testicular physiology, confirmed in some animal models.
Human Studies	Overall data does not show a strong association with low testosterone in a large, representative sample. Older studies found a link in specific subgroups like obese men.	Chronic, high-dose use can cause compensated hypogonadism, disrupting the hormonal balance in young men.
Primary Concern	Potential for affecting hormone levels, though evidence is not conclusive for the general population.	Disruption of the intricate pituitary-gonadal feedback loop with chronic high-dose use.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Meloxicam and Testosterone

The current consensus, based on the most robust human data, suggests that regular, chronic use of NSAIDs like meloxicam does not have a significant impact on testosterone levels in the general male population. However, the picture is more complex. While animal studies show a clear negative effect, human data is inconsistent. The specific circumstances of use, such as high doses or pre-existing health conditions like obesity, may increase the risk of hormonal disruption.

For men with pre-existing conditions or those taking high doses of meloxicam long-term, it's wise to discuss any concerns about testosterone with a healthcare provider. Lifestyle modifications, such as managing weight, getting adequate sleep, and reducing alcohol and stress, have a far more established and potent effect on maintaining healthy hormone levels. Always consult a doctor before making any changes to your medication regimen.

For more information on lifestyle strategies for boosting testosterone naturally, you can visit the Harvard Health website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Meloxicam can potentially decrease sperm count and motility in men, according to animal studies and some clinical observations. If you are planning to have children and are concerned about your fertility, you should discuss this with your doctor before using the medication.

No, it is not. Human studies have yielded conflicting results, with a large-scale study finding no link, but older research suggesting a potential effect in specific groups like obese and inactive men. Age and overall health also play a major role.

Meloxicam is a preferential COX-2 inhibitor, while ibuprofen is non-selective. A study on ibuprofen showed that chronic, high-dose use could cause compensated hypogonadism by disrupting hormonal signaling, an effect not as clearly demonstrated for meloxicam.

The most common causes include aging, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and other chronic illnesses. Lifestyle factors like chronic stress, excessive alcohol use, and certain other medications (e.g., opioids) also play a significant role.

You should not stop or change your medication without first consulting a healthcare provider. A doctor can evaluate your specific health profile, assess your testosterone levels, and help determine the most likely cause of any hormonal issues you may be experiencing.

Lifestyle changes can have a significant positive impact. These include maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise, prioritizing 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night, and managing stress levels.

Doctors diagnose low testosterone (hypogonadism) through blood tests that measure total testosterone, typically taken in the morning. They will also consider symptoms like fatigue, low libido, reduced muscle mass, and erectile dysfunction.