Abstract
Objective: To investigate the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and COVID-19 by examining relevant studies. Methods: This is an integrative review regarding the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and COVID-19 conducted between the years 2021 and 2024, using the LILACS and MEDLINE databases, the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) "Erectile Dysfunction," "Infection," and "COVID-19." Results: 13 articles were selected for analysis. The reviewed studies provide evidence of a significant association between COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction, damage to the cavernous smooth muscle, increasing the prevalence of erectile dysfunction even after mild infections, endothelial dysfunction, psychological burden, and decreased hormone levels induced by COVID-19. Final considerations: The relationship between COVID-19 and erectile dysfunction is complex and multifactorial, involving hormonal, psychological, and vascular factors, as well as risk, factors and the underlying mechanisms. Early diagnosis, analysis of environmental factors and post-infection psychological support are essential to mitigate adverse effects on male sexual function.
References
ABEDINZADEH M, et al. Effect of COVID-19 On the Sexual Activity of Men. American Journal of Men's Health, 2023; 17(4): 15579883231193913.
ADEYEMI DH, et al. Impact of COVID 19 on erectile function. The aging male: the official journal of the International Society for the Study of the Aging Male, 2022; 25(1): 202–216.
AL-KURAISHY HM. et al. Long COVID and risk of erectile dysfunction in recovered patients from mild to moderate COVID-19. Scientific Reports, 2023; 13(1): 5977.
ALGRANTI E, et al. Prevenção à COVID-19: orientações para prevenção e controle da COVID 19 nos locais de trabalho. Fundacentro, 2020: 32.
BRUNO ZV e REIS PHM. O impacto do tratamento da disfunção erétil sobre o casal. Revista Brasileira De Sexualidade Humana, 2020; 18(1).
COUTINHO PJR, et al. Caracterização e aspectos psicológicos de pacientes com disfunção erétil. Revista Psicologia: Teoria e Prática, 2020; 22(3): 321-355.
EPAMINONDAS WA, et al. Estudo da prevalência de disfunção erétil em ambulatório de Urologia no sistema único de saúde do Distrito Federal. Brasília Med, 2022; 59: 1-12.
GODOI ALD e FACIO JUNIOR FN. Prescrição, oferta e acesso aos medicamentos para disfunção erétil: um paradoxo na saúde pública? Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 2024; 29: e17702022.
KARKIN K e ALMA E. Erectile dysfunction and testosterone levels prior to COVID-19 disease: what is the relationship? Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia, 2021; 93(4): 460-464.
KATZ J, et al. Increased odds ratio for erectile dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 2022; 45(4): 859-864.
KAYNAR M, et al. Tip of the iceberg: erectile dysfunction and COVID-19. International Journal of Impotence Research, 2022; 34(2): 152-157.
KRESCH E, et al. COVID-19 endothelial dysfunction can cause erectile dysfunction: histopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study of the human penis. The world journal of men's health, 2021; 39(3): 466.
LIMA EG, et al. Estudo comparativo de eficácia e segurança da Sildenafila e Tadafila no tratamento da disfunção erétil: Revisão Sistemática. Brazilian Journal of Health Review, 2021; 4(6): 26269-26282.
PASINI E, et al. Serum Metabolic Profile in Patients With Long-Covid (PASC) Syndrome: Clinical Implications. Front Med, 2021; 22(8):714426.
SALAR R, et al. Effect of COVID‐19 infection on the erectile function. Andrology, 2023; 11(1): 10-16.
SANSONE A, et al. Addressing male sexual and reproductive health in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak. Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2021; 44(2): 223-231.
SIVRITEPE R, et al. The effect of interleukin‐6 level at the time of hospitalisation on erectile functions in hospitalised patients with COVID‐19. Andrologia, 2022; 54(1): e14285.
SONG WJ, et al. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on erectile function in Chinese CP/CPPS patients. Asian journal of andrology, 2023; 25(6): 680-686.
UNAL S, et al. A Possible Mechanism of Erectile Dysfunction in Coronavirus Disease-19: Cavernosal Smooth Muscle Damage: A Pilot Study. Revista Internacional de Andrología, 2023.
ZHANG J, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of erectile dysfunction in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2023; 46(4): 795-804, 2023.
ZHANG K, et al. Genetic susceptibility to COVID‐19 may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction: A two‐sample Mendelian randomization study. Andrologia, 2022; 54(10): e14527.
JOSE RJ e MANUEL A. COVID-19 cytokine storm: the interplay between inflammation and coagulation. Lancet Respir Med., 2020; 8: e46-e47.
Buselli R, Corsi M, Baldanzi S, Chiumiento M, Del Lupo E, Dell'Oste V, et al. Qualidade de vida profissional e resultados de saúde mental entre profissionais de saúde expostos ao Sars-Cov-2 (Covid-19) Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17 (17):6180.
MENTER T, et al. Postmortem examina-tion of COVID-19 patients reveals diffuse alveolar damage withsevere capillary congestion and variegated findings in lungs and otherorgans suggesting vascular dysfunction. Histopathology. 2020;77:198-209.
