The state of erectile and reproductive functions in young men who have undergone COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction. The negative consequences of the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus are being actively studied nowadays. It is known that the new coronavirus infection aggressively affects not only the organs of the respiratory system, but also the male reproductive system through binding to the ACE-2 receptor on the surface of cells of reproductive organs.The purpose of the study: to identify the impact of the virus on erectile and reproductive functions in young men of childbearing age 20–45 years who have undergone a new coronavirus infection.Material and methods. The study included 75 men of reproductive age 20–45 years who had undergone COVID-19. During the period of COVID-19 disease and 12 weeks after recovery, the study participants completed a questionnaire to assess erectile function "International Index of Erectile Function" (ICEF-5). The men underwent a blood test for hormones: luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the ratio of FSH to LH (FSH/ LH), testosterone total, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T4 free, prostate specific antigen total (PSA total). The analysis of the ejaculate of 29 study participants was also carried out during the illness and 12 weeks after the recovery from COVID-19.Results. When processing the ICEF-5 questionnaire data, erectile dysfunction was detected in 81% of cases, p < 0,01 during the illness, after coronavirus infection, sexual disorders persisted in 44% of cases, p < 0,01. A study of the hormonal status in 80% of men during the COVID-19 disease revealed a significant decrease in the level of total testosterone, p < 0,01, which remained reduced in 64% of men 12 weeks after recovery, p < 0,01. According to the results of 29 spermograms, 42% of the study participants during the COVID-19 disease had oligospermia, p < 0,01, in 44% of cases oligozoospermia was noted, p<0,01. After recovery, there was a decrease in the volume of ejaculate, the concentration of spermatozoa remained in 17% of cases, p < 0,01.Conclusion.  A new coronavirus infection negatively affects the erectile and reproductive functions in men who have undergone COVID-19.