The Sexual Long COVID (SLC): Erectile Dysfunction as a Biomarker of Systemic Complications for COVID-19 Long Haulers

Sansone, Andrea; Mollaioli, Daniele; Limoncin, Erika; Ciocca, Giacomo; Bắc, Nguyễn Hoài; Cao, Thắng Nguyễn; Hou, Guoqing; Yuan, Jianlin; Zitzmann, Michael; Giraldi, Annamaria; Jannini, Emmanuele A.

doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.11.001

Cited by 50 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 184 publications

(215 reference statements)

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“…This aspect of post-COVID andrological health aims to be purely descriptive of a relatively under-investigated issue that will undoubtedly require further specific investigations. This first post COVID-19 screening of sexual functioning may be an important point to remark, as it may represent a long-term effect of drugs and/or COVID-19 related distress and may impact on both reproductive health and quality of life [45][46][47][48][49]. Recent reports highlighted the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection and increased prevalence of ED [50,51].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Male reproductive health after 3 months from SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicentric study

Paoli

Pallotti

Anzuini

et al. 2022

J Endocrinol Invest

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Purpose While SARS-CoV-2 infection appears not to be clinically evident in the testes, indirect inflammatory effects and fever may impair testicular function. To date, few long-term data of semen parameters impairment after recovery and comprehensive andrological evaluation of recovered patients has been published. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 infection affect male reproductive health. Methods Eighty patients were recruited three months after COVID-19 recovery. They performed physical examination, testicular ultrasound, semen analysis, sperm DNA integrity evaluation (TUNEL), anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) testing, sex hormone profile evaluation (Total testosterone, LH, FSH). In addition, all patients were administered International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF-15). Sperm parameters were compared with two age-matched healthy pre-COVID-19 control groups of normozoospermic (CTR1) and primary infertile (CTR2) subjects. Results Median values of semen parameters from recovered SARS-CoV-2 subjects were within WHO 2010 fifth percentile. Mean percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation (%SDF) was 14.1 ± 7.0%. Gelatin Agglutination Test (GAT) was positive in 3.9% of blood serum samples, but no positive semen plasma sample was found. Only five subjects (6.2%) had total testosterone levels below the laboratory reference range. Mean bilateral testicular volume was 31.5 ± 9.6 ml. Erectile dysfunction was detected in 30% of subjects. Conclusion Our data remark that COVID-19 does not seem to cause direct damage to the testicular function, while indirect damage appears to be transient. It is possible to counsel infertile couples to postpone the research of parenthood or ART procedures around three months after recovery from the infection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Male reproductive health after 3 months from SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicentric study

Paoli

Pallotti

Anzuini

et al. 2022

J Endocrinol Invest

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“…erefore, it might be used as a biomarker for the severity and complications of COVID-19 [26]. In addition, Goldstein et al conducted a real-world data study and reported that COVID-19 significantly decreased the number of ED patients in the USA receiving ED-related treatments [27].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction: Results from a Prospective Real-World Study in the United Kingdom

Maguire

Zou

et al. 2022

International Journal of Clinical Practice

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Objectives. Assessment of erectile dysfunction (ED) burden could improve health outcomes associated with underlying cardiometabolic and psychological causes of ED. This study provided updated real-world evidence (RWE) on ED epidemiology and quantified healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) burden among men with ED in the UK. Methods. This cross-sectional, prospective real-world evidence study was conducted via a self-reported Internet survey in 2018 in the UK general population. Prevalence of ED was estimated; HCRU and HRQoL were compared between men with ED versus without ED via bivariate analysis. Results. Of 12,490 men included, 41.5% reported ED; 7.5% of men reported severe ED; ED was most prevalent in Wales (44.3%). Men with ED were older (54.1 ± 14.5 vs. 46.8 ± 14.1 years) and often reported modifiable lifestyle risk factors, including smoking (32.8% vs. 26.3%), drinking alcohol (76.1% vs. 71.0%), not exercising (21.7% vs. 19.4%), and being overweight or obese (64.9% vs. 54.6%). Additionally, men with ED more often reported ≥1 comorbid chronic conditions (73.7% vs. 47.7%), including hypertension (31.8% vs. 16.3%), hyperlipidemia (27.6% vs. 14.0%), depression (24.3% vs. 14.6%), anxiety (23.3% vs. 16.6%), and diabetes (15.9% vs. 6.1%) versus men without ED (all, p < 0.001). Nearly half of men with ED (45.3%) were not undergoing treatment for cardiometabolic or psychological comorbidities. Furthermore, men with ED more often reported ≥1 visit to physicians/nurse practitioners and pharmacists in the past year and had significantly lower SEAR total and domain scores than men without ED (all, p < 0.001). Conclusion. ED was highly prevalent in the UK affecting over a quarter of younger men. Cardiometabolic and psychological conditions were common among men with ED and often remained untreated. Higher proportions of modifiable lifestyle risk factors observed among men with ED present an opportunity for healthcare providers to help mitigate the risk of cardiometabolic diseases and incidence of ED.

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“…Acute stress, which appeared during the period of social isolation, could give rise to men’s concerns about sexual performance. Stress, as the underlying cause for erectile disorders, as well as premature ejaculation, are well documented [ 60 , 61 ], also during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 62 , 63 ]. In addition, unfavourable conditions for creating an intimate atmosphere could lead to reducing the frequency of sexual intercourse attempts, giving rise to a feeling of unfulfillment and general dissatisfaction with sexual life, especially in men with a high level of sexual needs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Assessment of Sexual Life—Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys among Polish Adults in 2017, 2020 and 2021

Izdebski

Słowikowska-Hilczer

Mazur

2022

IJERPH

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The study aims to investigate whether assessment of sexual life remained stable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two surveys were conducted among Polish adults aged 18–70 years in June 2020 (n = 2042; perspective of last 2–3 months) and in June 2021 (n = 2418; last 12 months). Data from 2017 (n = 1980) were used as a reference point. Four questions allowed for defining five sexual life assessment profiles (k-means cluster analysis). Their characteristics were presented using 12 variables and 16 factors that contributed to difficulties in sexual life. The 2020 survey showed a temporary increase in the importance of sexual life and the frequency of sexual intercourse. However, the percentage of respondents representing the most favorable profile decreased significantly over the consecutive survey periods (47.1%, 34.2%, and 32.3%, respectively). Pandemic-induced fatigue and stress as well as the permanent presence of others at home were reported as two main factors negatively affecting the frequency of sexual intercourse during the pandemic. Respondents who assessed their sexual life as poor were more likely to consider illness, depression, and low self-esteem as factors negatively impacting their sexual life in 2021 than a year earlier. The results confirmed that as the pandemic drew on, the assessment of sexual life changed compared to the time around the first lockdown.

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The Sexual Long COVID (SLC): Erectile Dysfunction as a Biomarker of Systemic Complications for COVID-19 Long Haulers

Cited by 50 publications

References 184 publications

Male reproductive health after 3 months from SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicentric study

Male reproductive health after 3 months from SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicentric study

Prevalence, Comorbidities, and Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction: Results from a Prospective Real-World Study in the United Kingdom

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Assessment of Sexual Life—Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys among Polish Adults in 2017, 2020 and 2021

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