COVID-19: Infected Men Likely To Develop Erectile Dysfunction – Urologist

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Sunday, January 23rd, 2022

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A Urologist has encouraged men to get vaccinated as those affected with COVID-19 are more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.

Dr. Igbokwe Martin, a Consultant Urologist, and Kidney Surgeon, in an interview in Abuja on Sunday, identified COVID-19 as a major threat to sexual function in men.

“COVID-19 is the virus that affects different parts of the body.

“The most destructive effect of the virus is the airways which affect breathing and oxygen saturation.

“This is what leads to the death and mortality that come with COVID,” he said.

Martin said that in urology, they discovered that it has an effect on the male genital system, including erectile dysfunction.

“It has shown that men who contracted COVID-19 infection, especially the active part of it, have the highest instance of erectile dysfunction.

“So COVID-19 affects the body generally and part of what it does is also affecting the blood vessels that are necessary to make the penis turgid.

“Men with COVID-19 can also develop low sperm count and swollen testes. Their balls can swell up, although this is not only associated with COVID but with other viral infections.

“In the UK, some patients have come with swollen testicles and when they go for tests, it was discovered that they are COVID-19 positive.

“So it means that this virus has the predilection to cause inflammation and infection of the testes which is also known as orchitis.

“But the good news is that after the men are cured of the disease, a lot of them regain their sexual function, so I encourage everyone to get vaccinated,” he said.

He said that COVID-19 can also lead to kidney failure and infertility in men.

According to him, during the COVID-19 era, when someone comes suddenly with kidney failure, does not produce urine, requires dialysis, the person will test for COVID, usually, it will come with fever, cough, among others.

NAN