# Will Midol make me sterile?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-midol-make-me-sterile/223226>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 7, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-midol-make-me-sterile/223226 "2004-01-07T16:15:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-midol-make-me-sterile/223226/1 "2004-01-07T16:15:31Z")

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Recently I asked someone if they had any Tylenol to combat the headache I had. They asked if ibuprofin would be okay. I, off-handedly, reply back that it could be Midol for all I care.

They then informed me that taking Midol could render a man sterile. I’ve never heard anything like that.

Old wive’s tale, or scientific discovery? Which is it?

If it WILL make me sterile, then to hell with the vasectomy I’ve considered getting.

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-midol-make-me-sterile/223226/2 "2004-01-07T16:27:27Z")

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No.

QtM, MD

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**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-midol-make-me-sterile/223226/3 "2004-01-07T16:43:13Z")

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Just to give a bit more detail, adding to **Qadgop’s** delightfully succinct reply: the only active ingredients in Midol are acetaminophen (Tylenol) and pamabrom, a diuretic. So, while it might not make you sterile, it will help you alleviate that nasty, bloated feeling you get from retaining too much water!

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**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-midol-make-me-sterile/223226/4 "2004-01-07T17:04:27Z")

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Nasty, bloated feeling? Kinda like when I eat Taco Bell.

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**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-midol-make-me-sterile/223226/5 "2004-01-07T17:04:39Z")

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Nasty, bloated feeling? Kinda like when I eat Taco Bell.

Thanks for the answers!

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**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-midol-make-me-sterile/223226/6 "2004-01-07T17:47:47Z")

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The Midol “Cramps and Body Aches” formula is ibuprofen - same as if you were taking Advil or Motrin.