Effects of SARS CoV-2, COVID-19, and its vaccines on male sexual health and reproduction: where do we stand?

Sharon P Lo; Tung-Chin Hsieh; Alexander W Pastuszak; James M Hotaling; Darshan P Patel

doi:10.1038/s41443-021-00483-y

Effects of SARS CoV-2, COVID-19, and its vaccines on male sexual health and reproduction: where do we stand?

Int J Impot Res. 2022 Mar;34(2):138-144. doi: 10.1038/s41443-021-00483-y. Epub 2021 Oct 27.

Authors

Sharon P Lo¹, Tung-Chin Hsieh², Alexander W Pastuszak¹, James M Hotaling¹, Darshan P Patel³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
² Department of Urology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
³ Department of Urology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA. dppatel@health.ucsd.edu.

Abstract

Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first discovered, there have been questions surrounding the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and more recently the COVID-19 vaccine, on men's health and fertility. Significant research has been conducted to study viral tropism, potential causes for gender susceptibility, the impact of COVID-19 on male sexual function in the acute and recovery phases, and the effects of the virus on male reproductive organs and hormones. This review provides a recent assessment of the literature regarding the impact of COVID-19 and its vaccine on male sexual health and reproduction.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19 Vaccines*
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Humans
Male
Reproduction
SARS-CoV-2
Sexual Health*

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines