Experts Research Erectile Dysfunction as a Long-Term Effect of COVID-19
Experts in Italy and the United States (US) warn of another potential long-term effect of COVID-19, namely erectile dysfunction.
In his recent interview with US news media NBC, infectious disease specialist Dr. Dena Grayson said there is a growing concern that COVID-19 could cause long-term effects of erectile difficulties.
“We know that this virus causes problems with blood vessels,” said Grayson. “So this is something of great concern – the virus can not only kill, but can actually cause potential long-term, life-long complications.”
Long-term risk factors and effects
A study in Italy in July found that erectile dysfunction was a risk factor for pneumonia from COVID-19 as well as a “possible consequence” of the disease for survivors. This finding is a “worrisome phenomenon”, especially among elderly patients.
“Erectile dysfunction is an excellent marker for determining general physical and psychological health,” said the study’s lead author, Emmanuele Jannini, professor of endocrinology and medical sexology at Tor Vergata University of Rome.
Because COVID-19 affects a person’s mental and physical health, he said, erectile dysfunction is not necessarily a shocking effect of the disease.
People who previously had erectile dysfunction and later became infected with SARS-CoV-2 may also be more susceptible to developing pneumonia, Jannini said.
That’s because pneumonia has the same comorbidities that are often associated with erectile dysfunction, including breathing problems, inflammation, hormonal problems, stress, anxiety, depression and endothelial dysfunction, or when the lining of the small arteries is narrowed.
“Erectile dysfunction is a reliable marker of risk for pneumonia due to the corona virus. But not necessarily a risk factor for infection, it remains to be seen,” said Jannini.
Damage to blood vessels
Erectile dysfunction occurs when blood flow to the penis is restricted. The causes can be complex and varied, both physiological and psychological. Many different factors that affect the cardiovascular system, nervous system and endocrine system can cause erection problems.
One of the prominent risk factors for coronavirus patients is damage to blood vessels and the respiratory system.
The coronavirus is known to attack the inner walls of blood vessels – called endothelium – throughout the body, including in the penis. Then this can cause blockage of blood vessels.
Although large blood clots cause heart attacks and strokes, it is believed that most of the heart damage caused by COVID-19 comes from tiny clots that block the small blood vessels in the heart muscle. There are tiny blood vessels in the penis that can quickly become blocked when arterial blood flow is restricted.
While this may explain some of the effects of erectile dysfunction among coronavirus patients, experts emphasize that more research is needed to determine the link to COVID-19. The effects of erectile dysfunction may differ between individuals.
How to prevent the long-term effects of COVID-19?
Although the majority of people appear to be recovering from COVID19, some more long-term effects are warranted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US, some of the long-term complications of COVID-19 include palpitations, brain fog, acute kidney injury and impaired lung function. Erectile dysfunction is not listed, but, as Grayson points out, experts are still studying the disease as infection rates increase and long-term patient monitoring.
“As time goes by, and more and more people become infected, unfortunately we will see more and more long-term negative effects of this infection,” he said.
Experts say the best way to prevent the potential long-term effects of COVID-19 is to avoid infection with the coronavirus in the first place as much as possible.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends wearing masks in public places, maintaining a distance of at least 2 meters from other people, washing hands frequently and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
(Ed: pkp/rap)
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