COVID-19 and Erectile Dysfunction
COVID-19 increases the risk of developing (ED) erectile dysfunction by about six times, according to data from the first study led by Emmanuele A. Jannini, MD, professor of endocrinology and medical sexology at the University of Rome published this March in Andrology. Just having ED makes men five times more likely to have COVID-19. Jannini suggests, “When offered, men should have the COVID-19 vaccination. It also gives a whole new meaning to wearing the mask ― mask up to keep it up,” he says. “older age, diabetes, high body mass index (BMI), and smoking increase the risk of developing endothelial dysfunction the same pathophysiology attributed to Covid 19. Prior research has suggested that asymptomatic COVID-19 could be associated with undetected problems with small blood vessels with long-term effects on the cardiovascular system.
The above data was drawn from the Sex@COVID online survey conducted from April 7 to May 4, 2020, in Italy. It included 6821 participants aged 18 years or older;4177 women, 2,644 men, mean age, 32.83 ± 11.24 years. They were divided on the basis of marital status and sexual activity during the lockdown. From these participants, 985 sexually active men were identified, among whom 25 (2.54%) reported having tested positive for COVID-19. These persons were then matched with 75 COVID-19-negative men. Results showed that the prevalence of ED was significantly higher among men who self-reported a history of COVID-19 compared to a matching COVID-negative population 28% vs 9.33%. The authors concluded that individuals who experience a sudden onset or worsening of ED should consider being tested for COVID‐19. Readers beware that the virus might cause the onset or progression of erectile impairment.
The thrombotic complications and coagulopathy of COVID-19 are mostly seen in the emergency department or in the ICU where they cause pulmonary embolism or coronary thrombosis. The virus can hide in the cusps of the valves in veins and form clots or precipitate thrombosis in small arteries such as the alveolar arteries in the lung.