Can COVID-19 Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a problem most men will experience during their life. In the United States alone, about 30 million men have experienced ED at some point. And if that wasn’t concerning enough, new research is showing COVID-19 can increase the risk of developing ED by nearly six times.

The study, which investigated the association between ED and COVID-19 in men, revealed there are three factors that could affect men who have had COVID-19:

• Cardiovascular Issues: The most common causes for ED are heart disease and vascular conditions. In some people, COVID-19 can damage the heart, affecting heart function, and can cause damage to blood vessels and veins. This can cause blood supply to the penis to become blocked or narrowed which can cause issues with keeping an erection.
• Mental Health: ED can also be caused by stress and anxiety that interrupts how your brain sends messages to the penis to allow extra blood flow. One of the concerns since the beginning of the pandemic has been people’s mental health.
• Poor Overall Health: ED is linked to other underlying health issues so men with poor health are more likely to develop ED. We also know that those with underlying health issues are more susceptible to having a serious case of COVID-19. Since the virus can cause a plethora of health issues, general poor health is cause for concern both for ED and other complications.

While studies are still limited on the correlation of COVID-19 and ED, ED can be resolved by addressing the underlying cause. Improving lifestyle habits can not only help decrease your chance for ED but can also improve your outcomes for COVID-19. Talk to your doctor if you have ED, especially after a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask is another great way to protect yourself and others around you from getting sick. To schedule a vaccine today, visit brgeneral.org/vaccine and don’t forget to mask up to protect yourself and others.