1
|
Demircivi E, Yildirim A, Guler Y, Turgut A. Effect of COVID-19 infection on female sexual function: A prospective controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38923. [PMID: 39029029 PMCID: PMC11398767 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This prospective controlled study investigates the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on female sexual function, comparing recovered COVID-19-positive women with those uninfected by the virus. It aims to elucidate the broader impacts on sexual health and psychological well-being. This prospective controlled study included nonpregnant women of reproductive age and their partners, divided into COVID-19- positive (recovered) and negative groups. Data collection took place on average 6 months after COVID-19 recovery. Information was collected on the number of people exposed to COVID-19 and the severity of infection (mild, moderate or severe). Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing sexual function (female sexual function index [FSFI]), anxiety (state-trait anxiety inventory [STAI]) and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory). We compared sexual function, psychological well-being and demographic characteristics between the groups using statistical analyses to identify significant differences. The study reveals significant resilience in sexual function, psychological well-being, and demographic characteristics among the participants, regardless of COVID-19 status. No marked differences were found in sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, or pain during sexual activity between the groups. Psychological assessments indicated uniform anxiety levels across both cohorts, underscoring a theme of psychological resilience. The analysis of partners' sexual function highlighted minimal indirect impacts of the pandemic on intimate relationships. Despite the extensive global health implications, this study demonstrates resilience in female sexual function and psychological health among those affected by the virus. These findings emphasize the need for ongoing research and targeted interventions to support individuals navigate the pandemic-evolving challenges, highlighting resilience and adaptability as key factors in maintaining well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ergul Demircivi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Suleyman Yalcin City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Yildirim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Park Florya, Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yucel Guler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Suleyman Yalcin City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Abdulkadir Turgut
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Suleyman Yalcin City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dong Y, Ba Z, Qin Y, Ma J, Li Y, Zhang Y, Yang A, Chen F. Comprehensive evaluation of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on sperm parameters and sex hormones. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1321406. [PMID: 38469318 PMCID: PMC10925671 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1321406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine has made significant contributions to fighting the epidemic in the past three years. However, the rapid development and application raised concerns about its safety in reproductive health, especially after several studies had observed a decrease in semen parameters following two doses of mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Thus, it is necessary to comprehensively evaluate the effect of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine on male fertility. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in the Center for Reproductive Medicine of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University between July 2021 and March 2023. A total of 409 men with different vaccination status and no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in this study. Their sex hormone levels and semen parameters were evaluated and compared separately. Results The levels of FSH and PRL in one-dose vaccinated group were higher than other groups, while there were no significant changes in other sex hormone levels between the control and inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated groups. Most semen parameters such as volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, progressive motility and normal forms were similar before and after vaccination with any single dose or combination of doses (all P > 0.05). Nevertheless, the total motility was significantly decreased after receiving the 1 + 2 doses of vaccine compared to before vaccination (46.90 ± 2.40% vs. 58.62 ± 2.51%; P = 0.001). Fortunately, this parameter was still within the normal range. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that any single dose or different combined doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was not detrimental to male fertility. This information could reassure men who want to conceive after vaccination and be incorporated into future fertility recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yehao Dong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Zaihua Ba
- Department of Physiology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yining Qin
- Department of Physiology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Jiao Ma
- Department of Physiology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yuqi Li
- Department of Physiology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Yingze Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Aijun Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Physiology, Jining Medical University, Jining, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Al-Kuraishy HM, Al-Gareeb AI, Alarfaj SJ, Al-Akeel RK, Faidah H, El-Bouseary MM, Sabatier JM, De Waard M, El-Masry TA, Batiha GES. Long COVID and risk of erectile dysfunction in recovered patients from mild to moderate COVID-19. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5977. [PMID: 37045862 PMCID: PMC10092929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32211-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were shown to have reduced serum testosterone levels compared to healthy individuals. Low testosterone levels are linked with the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). In this case-controlled study, 20 healthy controls and 39 patients with ED 3 months after recovering from mild-to-moderate COVID-19 pneumonia were studied. The patients ranged in age from 31 to 47 years. To identify early and late COVID-19 infections, real-time polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) and COVID-19 antibody testing were done. The levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), free androgenic index (FAI), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. The sexual health inventory for patients (SHIM) score was used to measure the erectile function of the patients and controls. When compared to the controls, the TT serum level in long COVID-19 (LC) patients with ED was low (p = 0.01). In contrast to controls, FT and FAI were both lower in LC patients with ED. (p = 0.001). FSH serum levels did not significantly differ (p = 0.07), but in ED patients, LH serum levels were elevated. SHIM scores were associated with low TT (p = 0.30), FT (p = 0.09), and high LH (p = 0.76) in LC patients with ED. Male patients with decreased serum levels of LH and testosterone may have hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis dysfunction, which could lead to the development of LC-induced ED. Therefore, an in-depth research is necessary to confirm the causal link between COVID-19 and ED in LC patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hayder M Al-Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali I Al-Gareeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Sumaiah J Alarfaj
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O.Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Rasha Khalifah Al-Akeel
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Entomology and Parasitology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani Faidah
- Microbiolgy Department Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maisra M El-Bouseary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Jean-Marc Sabatier
- CNRS UMR 7051, Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales, Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Michel De Waard
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 Rue Des Platanes, 38120, Saint-Egrève, France
- L'institut du Thorax, INSERM, CNRS, UNIV NANTES, 44007, Nantes, France
- LabEx «Ion Channels, Science & Therapeutics», Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, 06560, Valbonne, France
| | - Thanaa A El-Masry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22511, AlBeheira, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gök A, Altan M, Doğan AE, Eraslan A, Uysal FŞ, Öztürk U, Saguner AM, İmamoğlu MA. Does Post-COVID-19 Erectile Dysfunction Improve over Time? J Clin Med 2023; 12:1241. [PMID: 36769888 PMCID: PMC9918199 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some studies have shown that there may be an increase in the frequency of erectile dysfunction after COVID-19. However, no long-term study has investigated whether this is permanent or temporary. In this study, we aimed to examine whether there was an increase in the frequency of erectile dysfunction among individuals with a history of COVID-19, and, if there was, whether their condition improved over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, a total of 125 healthy male healthcare workers, 95 with and 30 without a history of COVID-19, were evaluated in terms of erectile function. Four study groups were formed. The first three groups consisted of individuals with a history of COVID-19 confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at different times, who recovered from the disease (time elapsed since COVID-19 positivity: <6 months for Group 1, 6 to 12 months for Group 2, and >12 months for Group 3). The individuals in Group 4 did not have a history of COVID-19 diagnosis. In order to evaluate the erectile function of the participants, they were asked to complete the five-item International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF-5). Then, statistical analyses were performed to evaluate whether there was a difference between the groups in terms of the IIEF-5 scores. RESULTS There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the IIEF-5 scores (p < 0.001), and this difference was determined to be caused by the significantly higher IIEF-5 scores of Groups 3 and 4 compared to Group 1 (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, the IIEF-5 score of Group 4 was statistically significantly higher than that of Group 2 (p < 0.001). However, the IIEF-5 scores did not statistically significantly differ between Groups 1 and 2, Groups 2 and 3, and Groups 3 and 4 (p > 0.999, p = 0.204, and p = 0.592, respectively). CONCLUSION There may be deterioration in erectile function after COVID-19; however, this tends to improve over time, especially from the first year after active infection. Given that vascular, hormonal, and/or psychogenic factors may lead to the development of erectile dysfunction after COVID-19, we consider that in order to easily manage this process, it is important to determine the underlying cause, initiate appropriate treatment, and inform couples that this situation can be temporary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alper Gök
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 34668, Turkey
- Department of Urology, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara 06170, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Altan
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 34668, Turkey
- Department of Urology, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara 06170, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Emin Doğan
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 34668, Turkey
- Department of Urology, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara 06170, Turkey
| | - Aşır Eraslan
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 34668, Turkey
- Department of Urology, Diskapi Education and Research Hospital, Ankara 06110, Turkey
| | | | - Ufuk Öztürk
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 34668, Turkey
- Department of Urology, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara 06170, Turkey
| | - Ardan Muammer Saguner
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Muhammet Abdurrahim İmamoğlu
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Ankara 34668, Turkey
- Department of Urology, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara 06170, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ismail AMA. Post-COVID Erectile Dysfunction: The Exercise May Be a Good Considered Complementary Choice. Am J Mens Health 2022; 16:15579883221114983. [PMID: 35927941 PMCID: PMC9358575 DOI: 10.1177/15579883221114983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mohamed Ali Ismail
- Department of Physical Therapy for Cardiovascular/Respiratory Disorder and Geriatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| |
Collapse
|