Covid Could Damage Testicles, Lower Sex Drive After 4 months, Confirms Study

According to the study by researchers in Hong Kong shares drastic side effects caused by the Covid-19 (coronavirus)  on the male reproductive system, and how vaccinated individuals could have a lesser impact overall. 

Reported first by SCMP, University of Hong Kong researchers have found that the coronavirus could lowering their sex drive , damage human testicles, and also affecting fertility.

This was observed based on a study (which has been accepted for publication in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases) that looked at hormonal  and testicular changes in hamsters infected with the virus.

Researchers noticed that the hamsters that were infected experienced a steep drop in sperm count as well as serum testosterone — a male sex hormone, in just four to 7 days after infection.

They also saw a reduction in the weight and size of the testicles, also known as chronic asymmetric testicular atrophy. They also saw haemorrhage , acute testicular inflammation, as well as the death of tissue in seminiferous tubules (responsible for sperm cell production) as well as an impact on sperm cell development (spermatogenesis).

This degeneration, inflammation as well as the death of testicular tissue was seen seven to 4 months post-infection. The impact was seen on both the Delta and Omicron  variants of the novel coronavirus.

Researchers have also highlighted that this has the potential to result in hypogonadism — also known as subfertility and as well as low sex drive. They state that getting vaccinated could help avoid or reduce these complications.