Men Could Be Six Times More Likely to Develop Erectile Dysfunction Following COVID-19: Report

Gentlemen, you need yet another reason to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine?

A new report revealed COVID-19 increases the risk of developing erectile dysfunction nearly sixfold, according to data from the first study to examine the link between erectile dysfunction and COVID-19.

The preliminary data also indicated that erectile dysfunction is an indicator of increased risk to contract COVID.The study found men with erectile dysfunction are more than five times more likely to have COVID-19.

The study, led by Dr. Emmanuele A. Jannini, professor of endocrinology and medical sexology at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, was published on March 20th March in 'Andrology.'

Jannini suggests erectile dysfunction can be both a short-term and a long-term complication of COVID-19.

"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," says Jannini. "It could possibly have the added benefit of preventing sexual dysfunction."

Jannini acknowledges more research needs to be conducted on the preliminary data. Allan Pacey, MD, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom, welcomed the research but also noted, "at the moment, the relationship is just a correlation, and it might be that some of the comorbidities that increased the men's chances of getting a significant COVID-19 infection may have also independently increased their chances of erectile dysfunction."

Pacey added "But the authors offer a plausible mechanism by which COVID-19 may impact directly on erectile function. I'd also argue it's a good reason for men to wear a mask, practice social distancing, and take the vaccine when it's offered to them."