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Experts in Italy and the US warn of another possible long-term consequence of COVID-19: erectile dysfunction. During a recent interview with the US broadcaster NBC, doctor Dena Grayson said there was growing concern that COVID-19 could cause long-term difficulties in achieving an erection.
“We know it causes blood vessel problems,” Grayson said. “So this is something of great concern, not only that the virus can kill, but that it can actually cause potential long-term and lifelong complications.”
Risk factor and consequence
According to a study carried out in Italy in July, erectile dysfunction is a risk factor for contracting pneumonia after contracting COVID-19, and also a “probable consequence” after having overcome the disease.
“Erectile dysfunction is a perfect biomarker of overall physical and psychological health,” said study lead author Emmanuele Jannini, professor of medical endocrinology and sexology at Tor Vergata University in Rome. Since COVID-19 affects physical and mental well-being, erectile dysfunction is not necessarily a surprising consequence of the disease, he says. People infected with coronavirus, who have previously suffered from erectile dysfunction, may also be more prone to developing COVID-19 pneumonia, according to Jannini.
That’s because pneumonia carries the same comorbidities that are often associated with erectile dysfunction, including breathing difficulties, inflammation, hormonal problems, stress, anxiety, depression and endothelial dysfunction, he added.
Damage to blood vessels is concerning
Erectile dysfunction occurs when blood flow to the penis is limited. The causes can be complex and varied, both physiological and psychological. Endocrine, nervous and cardiovascular system problems can cause problems getting an erection.
A risk factor in patients with COVID-19 is the damage caused to the vascular and respiratory systems. The coronavirus has been found to attack the inner walls of blood vessels, called endothelium, throughout the body, including those in the penis, which can cause vascular blockages.
While large blood clots can lead to heart attacks and strokes, the heart damage caused by COVID-19 is believed to be caused primarily by very small clots that block blood vessels in the heart muscle. There are particularly small blood vessels in the penis that can quickly become blocked when arterial blood flow is restricted.
While this may explain some cases of erectile dysfunction among coronavirus patients, experts emphasize that more research is needed to determine the link to COVID-19, and it is likely that this will differ depending on the person.
Prevention of long-term side effects from COVID-19
Although the vast majority of people seem to recover from COVID-19, multiple long-term problems have been observed.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some of the long-term complications include heart palpitations, mental confusion, acute kidney injury, and impaired lung function. Erectile dysfunction is not on the list, but, as Grayson points out, experts are still learning about the disease as the number of infections increases, and patients are monitored long-term.
“As time passes and more and more people become infected, we will unfortunately see more long-term negative consequences from the infection,” he said. Experts say the best way to prevent the potential long-term consequences of COVID-19 is to avoid contagion in the first place. To do this, the World Health Organization recommends wearing a mask in public places, staying at least 2 meters away from other people, washing your hands frequently and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
(rmr/ers)
