COVID-19 could cause erectile dysfunction and men who have suffered from the virus are six times vulnerable to developing the health problem.
One of the studies published in the World Journal of Men’s Health observed the difference in tissue composition between men who had contracted the disease and men who had not.
It deducted that COVID can cause damage to blood vessels, which in turn can damage parts of the body the vessels supply, including the sponge-like tissue in the penis.
Ranjith Ramasamy, associate professor and director of the University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine’s reproductive urology programme, led the study.
He said that erectile dysfunction “could be an adverse effect of the virus”.
The study focused on four men who were having penile prosthesis surgery for erectile dysfunction.
Two had suffered with COVID-19, and two had not. They were all aged between 65 and 71 and of Hispanic ethnicity.
The pair who had the coronavirus were infected six and eight months before the observations, with one hospitalised for the virus and the other not.
Neither had a history of erectile dysfunction. Remnants of the virus were observed in the penis tissue of the two COVID-positive men.
The damage COVID causes to blood vessels is known as endothelial dysfunction.
How it happens
Dr Ramasamy said: “In our pilot study, we found that men who previously did not complain of ED [erectile dysfunction] developed pretty severe ED after the onset of COVID-19 infection.”
He added: “Our research shows that COVID-19 can cause widespread endothelial dysfunction in organ systems beyond the lungs and kidneys.
“The underlying endothelial dysfunction that happens because of COVID-19 can enter the endothelial cells and affect many organs, including the penis.”
Eliyahu Kresch, a medical student working with Dr Ramasamy, said: “These latest findings are yet another reason that we should all do our best to avoid COVID-19.”
The paper suggested: “For now, history of COVID-19 should be included in the work-up of ED and positive findings should be investigated accordingly.
“Patients should be aware of the potential complication of post-COVID-19 ED.
“Any changes observed in ED after infection should be followed up with the appropriate specialist for treatment and to help further investigation into the condition.
“Future studies are needed to validate the effects of this virus on sexual function.”
More studies
The studies by the researchers have been backed by more findings published by Webmd.com, which state that male patients who have suffered from the virus are six times vulnerable to developing ED.
Webmd part states: ‘The preliminary numbers also indicated that having ED also increased men’s susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Men with ED are more than five times more likely to have COVID-19.
“For men with a history of COVID-19, the estimated risk of developing ED was 5.66 higher. Those numbers remained even after other factors considered.’’
The study—which was published in a journal named Andrology on March 20—was carried out by Emmanuele A. Jannini, a medical professor of endocrinology and medical sexology, at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
The researcher argued that ED could manifest itself as short or long term effect. The risk could be aggravated by other lifestyle conditions such as diabetes, higher body mass index, smoking and old age.
To solve this, the researcher proposed that men should be on the forefront embracing the vaccination to ensure that they are well shielded from the dangers.
“When offered, men should have the COVID vaccination. It also gives a whole new meaning to wearing the mask ― mask up to keep it up,” he said, adding: “It could possibly have the added benefit of preventing sexual dysfunction.”
Young men victims
According to another study published on September 22, 2020, by Cambridge University Press, young people who are below 35 years are the mostly affected group.
The study findings revealed that majority of them suffered loss of libido and decrease in the frequency of having sexual intercourse.
“A cross-sectional study showed that COVID-19 pandemic, not the infection itself, has negatively impacted the sexual behaviour of couples younger than the age of 35 years old. Of these, many individuals had a decreased sexual desire leading to lower frequency of sexual intercourse,’’ the study partly notes, adding that ‘‘long-term effects of infection with SRARS-Cov-2 on the sexual dysfunction is unknown.’’
Sky News contributed to this report