A new study has found that taking painkillers, like paracetamol and ibuprofen, could harm the fertility of the unborn baby.
A team at Edinburgh University said that women should be careful when taking painkillers throughout their pregnancy.
Women are advised to take the smallest dose of paracetamol for the shortest period of time. Expectant mums should never take ibuprofen.
The team analysed the effects painkillers had on ovaries and testicular tissue that were exposed to painkillers for one week.
They found that ovaries that were exposed for seven days had 40 percent fewer egg-producing cells.
When exposed to ibuprofen the number of egg-producing cells was nearly halved.
The team found similar results with the testicular tissue, which had 25 percent less sperm-producing cells present after being exposed to the painkillers.
The team said that both girls and boys' fertility could be affected by the use of painkillers in pregnancy.
The Edinburgh University team added that exposure to painkillers may also impact the fertility of future generations. The painkillers altered the structure of DNA known as epigenetic marks. It is understood that the marks can be inherited in future generations.
The team urged women to be cautious when taking painkillers during pregnancy, “We would encourage women to think carefully before taking painkillers in pregnancy and to follow existing guidelines - taking the lowest possible dose for the shortest time possible,” said lead researcher Dr. Rod Mitchell.
The study was published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
