Difficulty breathing, tiredness, and headaches are common symptoms we hear with Long COVID, but researchers are discovering more issues associated with it. One concern being investigated is erectile dysfunction (ED), which is the inability of a man to achieve and sustain an erection necessary for sexual intercourse. Learn more about the research findings and what else may be causing the problem. 

How Common Is ED Post-COVID?

According to researchers, the estimates of ED after COVID-19 vary wildly. One study found the risk of ED increased by 20%, while other investigators reported even higher increases in the risk. Yet another study learned that men who had been ill with COVID-19 were nearly six times as likely to report impotence compared to those who had not been ill.

Is ED caused directly by COVID-19?

Some scientists believe ED is a complicated condition, and that it is too early to be certain that ED is directly caused by the COVID-19 virus. 

“You need good blood flow, you need the nerves to be firing, and you need good hormone levels, specifically testosterone,” says Dr. Justin Dubin, who co-wrote a paper about the adverse impact of COVID-19 on men’s health. “But you also need to be in a good state of mind, and you also need to be aroused. If any of these things go wrong, you may have an issue getting an erection.”

While some studies are supporting the notion that the COVID-19 virus may affect the blood flow and vessels to the penis, impotence may also be attributed to other factors caused by the pandemic. Social isolation, anxiety, and depression have also been on the rise, which could play a role. The pandemic may have created a perfect storm for the occurrence of ED. 

What can you do if you have ED?

Oftentimes, ED can resolve on its own. It’s recommended, however, that you see your doctor, as ED can precede other serious health conditions, including a heart attack. Your doctor can test for many of these conditions and help you get treatment for ED. 

“If you’re having these problems, do not wait,” Dr. T. Mike Hsieh, director of the men’s health center at University of California, San Diego, said. “For the most part, we can get the guys’ sex lives back.”

*Rabin, R. C. (2022, May 5). Can COVID Lead to Impotence? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/05/health/COVID-impotence-erectile-dysfunction.html