Tribune News Service – Dear Healthy Men: I had a nasty case of COVID-19 several months ago. It’s taken awhile, but I’m fully recovered — except for one thing: I’ve been having trouble getting and keeping an erection.
I know that most men have erection troubles at some point, but I never have before, and I’m wondering whether there could be any connection between COVID and sexual difficulties.
A: What a great question. In a word, the answer is yes. A recent study published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation explored that exact question.
Professor Emmanuele A. Jannini, of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and his colleagues found a definite connection between erectile dysfunction and COVID-19.
How does it work? According to Jannini, there are several likely culprits:
Overall health issues. Like it or not, erectile dysfunction is a good indicator of our overall health and is often a symptom of an underlying health problem. And since COVID-19 can aggravate (or cause) many health concerns, it’s no wonder that there’s a connection to erectile dysfunction.
Psychological issues. In addition to the damage COVID-19 can do to one’s physical health, there are also numerous mental-health issues, including depression and anxiety, both of which can cause erectile dysfunction.
Men’s Health Network (MensHealthNetwork.org) and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI.org) recently organized a conference titled “Behavioral Health Aspects of Depression and Anxiety in the American Male,” which discussed this topic in detail.
Men’s Health Network and PCORI have also put together a series of webinars on the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of men and boys. You can read more about the conference and the webinar series at either website.
Cardio issues. Many people with COVID-19 have developed cardiovascular problems, including dangerous levels of inflammation in the heart and circulatory system. And any problems with blood circulation may result in erectile dysfunction …
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