COVID-19 Vaccines Could Cause Erectile Dysfunction: Studies but Manufacturers Denies

New Delhi:

COVID-19 Vaccines Dysfunction: Researchers and experts have said that there is no evidence to support the claim of COVID-19 vaccines could cause erectile dysfunction, which is flooding on social media in recent weeks, even though there have been some studies linking the COVID-19 disease itself to the matter. As per reports, none of the COVID vaccine manufacturers of vaccines presently in use worldwide, including Pfizer, Moderna and Oxford, have listed any issues related to sexual health or erectile dysfunction in their clinical trials.

Siti Nadia Tarmizi, spokeswoman for Indonesia's COVID-19 vaccination programme, said that COVID-19 vaccines do not affect the genitals.

"Because vaccines, in principle, stimulate the immune system, and there are no supporting ingredients in the vaccines that have the potential to cause impotence. We also know that most of the causes of impotence are psychological problems, rather than organ problems," she added.

Both the Drug Authority of India and World Health Organisation have dismissed claims of COVID-19 vaccines causing impotence or infertility.

VG Somani, chief of the Drug Authority of India, said that the claims were absolute rubbish.

"We'll never approve anything if there's the slightest safety concern. Vaccines are 110% safe. Some side effects like mild fever, pain and allergy are common for every vaccine," Somani said.

Several studies have found that COVID-19 may raise the risk of erectile dysfunction. According to a report in the journal Andrology, researchers in Rome have found that men who contract COVID-19 increase their risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

The study stated that the virus is known to cause inflammation in the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels throughout the body. Arteries supplying the genitals are small and narrow, so any inflammation is likely to disrupt blood flow and impede a man's sexual response.

US infectious disease expert Dr Dena Grayson has also flagged long-term complications in men.

"Men could have long-term issues of erectile dysfunction from this virus because we know that it causes issues in the vasculature," she said.

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