The coronavirus causes many complications, even in the sexual sphere. They affect young and otherwise healthy men
It is clear that with a disease like covid-19, it will be necessary to investigate all the implications that come with it for a long time to come. What the virus can do in the body in the long term, no one knows yet. And although there was some assumption that young and relatively healthy people were not a group that would be at any significant risk from the disease, it turns out that this is not necessarily true either. "The coronavirus in me was in a mild form, I suffered only from headaches, loss of taste and smell, and I was tired. Within three weeks everything was fine. But I also noticed that my sex drive had changed radically, I had no desire for sex. What I certainly didn't think about was that I would have trouble getting an erection. I' m only 24 years old!" says a young man on a discussion forum who had the coronavirus in the first spring wave. Subsequently, however, the reality turned out to be much more problematic. Even after eight months he has not got rid of the problems with achieving an erection. And according to doctors, he's definitely not alone.
What does the science say?
For example, as the peer-reviewed Journal of Endocrinological Investigation reports, it is erectile dysfunction that should be added to the ever-growing list of long-term effects of having experienced covid-19. "Although a trivial matter for patients in intensive care units, erectile dysfunction is very likely a consequence of having experienced covid-19," the text summarizes.
Thus, although currently doctors are still more concerned with problems that are life-threatening, and there are no specific clinical trials that show a clear link between covid-19 and erectile dysfunction, the association is very likely. "The association between shedding the virus and vascular problems that cause erectile problems is strong. In fact, erectile dysfunction is largely based on blood flow problems, so it's no surprise that the two health problems could be related," explains urologist Christpher Kyle. In his view, it will be enough if covid-19 is shown to have a long-term negative effect on cardiovascular health - then the link to erectile dysfunction will be clear. And reports suggesting this are increasing. For example, many active running athletes complain that they can't run more than a few hundred metres after being cured of covid-19.
Then, according to urologist Kyle, there is also evidence that covid-19 can cause a cardiovascular disease known as endothelial dysfunction, which is linked to diabetes, hypertension and smoking. And all of these also lead to erection problems. Regardless of the specific link between passing covid-19 and erectile dysfunction, the fact is that more and more men are heading to doctors struggling with this problem after getting rid of the coronavirus. However, no one knows whether this is a temporary difficulty or a more permanent problem.
What does erectile dysfunction itself say about health?
But apart from the link between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular problems, there is a definite link between erectile dysfunction and the psyche. Sexual activity is closely linked to mental health, and the stress, anxiety and depression caused by the overall current situation will obviously not add much to anyone's sex drive.
Zdroj: Giphy
In fact, there is a third factor that comes into play - and that is the general deterioration of health. Basically, you could say that it's a vicious circle - those who are not quite as fit are at a higher risk of a more severe course of covid-19 disease, which essentially also means a higher risk of developing erection problems. Yet even erection problems themselves, experts say, suggest that something is not quite right with men's health. "Erectile dysfunction can actually be an indicator of overall health. So, especially in young and basically healthy men who suddenly develop erectile dysfunction, and especially after suffering from covid-19 disease, it can be a sign that something more serious is going on in the body," says urologist Ryna Berglund.
However, the list of potential problems that are exclusive to men does not end with the possible causes of erectile dysfunction in the context of coronavirus infection. In fact, according to some research, there is concern that coronavirus infection may also damage the testicles. For now, it is not clear whether the damage is temporary, permanent or can significantly affect fertility, but information on the subject is beginning to proliferate.
What does one know - and conversely not know...
According to Dr. Berglund, experts are still finding out more and more about exactly how the coronavirus affects human health - and only gradually are the long-term effects of having the disease being determined. For now, it is already clear that coronavirus can cause blood clots, neurological problems, damage to the heart, lungs and kidneys - and, it has now been shown, can also negatively affect men's sexual and reproductive health. Yet many men - even those who are young and have never suffered from any health problems before - report that these problems persist for months after treatment. So the only way to really effectively prevent possible problems is to try to protect yourself adequately and not get coronavirus...
