Women who frequently use over-the-counter pain pills may be doing long-term damage to their kidneys.

Researchers found that over a decade, women who took between three and 17 acetaminophen pills weekly increased their risk of kidney problems by 64 percent compared to women who rarely or never used such medications.

Women who regularly took more than that doubled their risks, the study says.

Surveys show that one in five Americans take a top-selling painkiller at least once a week.

Researchers reached a different conclusion about acetaminophen and men.

After tracking nearly 5,000 men for 14 years, they found no kidney decline among those who took over-the-counter pain meds – including acetaminophen – three to four times a week.