Erectile dysfunction and testosterone levels prior to COVID-19 disease: What is the relationship?

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 and Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and the effect of serum testosterone level on the disease prognosis. Methods: Between April-December 2020, 70 patients who were admitted with a complaint of ED after having COVID-19 and whose serum testosterone level was checked for varicocele, premature ejaculation, and infertility reasons before COVID-19. The patients filled the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and their testosterone level was checked. The questionnaire was arranged to assess the first month before COVID-19 and after COVID-19. Testosterone levels of the patients before and after COVID-19 were compared. The relationship between testosterone levels and hospitalization in the intensive care was evaluated.Results: It was revealed that testosterone levels and IIEF-5 scores after COVID-19 in all patients were statisticaly and significantly different compared to the period before COVID-19 (p < 0.05). Testosterone levels of patients in need of intensive care were significantly higher than those without any need of intensive care (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Our study has presented that COVID-19 may cause ED and high testosterone levels increase the rate of hospitalization in the intensive care by intensifying the disease.