Effect of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive functions of Egyptian males following recovery: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: We aimed to assess the sexual and the reproductive functions in males post COVID-19 infection in Beni-Suef Governorate. Methods: One hundred men were recruited in the current study. All participants were assessed by the Arabic validated version of the International Index of the Erectile Function 5 (ArIIEF-5), semen analysis, and Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale (HADS). Finally, morning testosterone serum level was measured. Results: There were significant decreases in the sperm total motility, the ArIIEF-5 score, and serum total testosterone in the post COVID-19 patients after 3 months when compared to the controls. However, there were significant increases in the sperm total motility, the ArIIEF-5 score, and serum total testosterone in the post COVID-19 patients after 6 months group when compared to the post COVID-19 patients after 3 months group. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the HADS score in the post COVID-19 patients after 3 months when compared to the controls. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in the HADS score in the post COVID-19 patients after 6 months when compared to the post COVID-19 patients after 3 months. Conclusion: Our study had shown temporary impairment of sexual and reproductive functions in post COVID-19 convalescent males especially after 6 months from the onset of the infection.

Age-Related COVID-19 Influence on Male Fertility

“…We assessed standard sperm quality parameters in patients younger and older than 35 years, 5-7 months after recovery from COVID-19. In many studies, the recovery period for sperm parameters is 1 or 2 cycles of spermatogenesis [7,16,28,29]. This may explain why we did not find statistically significant differences in the studied markers.…”