Background: COVID-19 is a highly contagious pandemic disease caused by the severe acute respiratory
syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2). It can damage a variety of organs, but most notably the lungs.
The relationship between COVID-19 and the male sexual system remains unknown.
Aim: To evaluate sexual functions in freshly recovered COVID-19 male patients
Patients and methods: A case-control study was undertaken on two groups of age-matched males:
Group 1: 120 men one month after recovering from COVID-19 infection, and Group 2: 120 normal
men as a control group. All subjects underwent a thorough clinical examination and full history taking.
The 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) was used to assess sexual functions.
Total testosterone and prolactin levels in the blood were evaluated.
Results: Cases exhibited significantly greater prolactin and much lower testosterone levels compared
to controls, and their mean erectile function (EF) was significantly lower. EF 14-25 was present in the
majority of the cases (n=83, 69.2%), with only two cases having EF less than 14. When compared to
the control group, cases had significantly reduced mean orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse
satisfaction, total sexual satisfaction, and overall IEF.
Conclusion: COVID-19 infection has a negative impact on male sexual functions in the patients under study.
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