According to recent studies, a coronavirus infection could well cause erection problems, or even a shrinkage of the penis. In a podcast signed Slate (US), a thirty-year-old confided in this undesirable side effect. A “Covid Dick” developed after a severe form of the coronavirus. “Last July, I contracted covid and I got very sick. When I got out of the hospital, I started having erection problems,” he says.
While his erectile dysfunction eventually resolved with treatment, one of the symptoms persisted. “My penis has shrunk. Before falling ill, he was above average … not huge, but still bigger than normal, ”says the young man. “Today I lost 4 cm and I fell below average. »
According to his doctors, this narrowing is due to vascular lesions and may well be permanent. “It shouldn’t matter, but it had a serious impact on my self-confidence and my abilities in bed,” says the 30-something.
“Wear the mask to keep it straight”
What do scientists say about this covid penis? Is this an isolated case? According to urologist Charles Welliver, interviewed by Slate, penile shrinkage can occur after Covid infection but “it’s not very common”.
On the other hand, “there are quite significant vascular problems that can occur in men,” adds the doctor. By disrupting blood flow, the virus can attack the private parts of these gentlemen. “It can go both ways,” comments Dr. Welliver. By causing either erectile dysfunction or priapism [une érection prolongée].
A study on the issue was conducted in Italy last year. Published in the medical journal “Andrology”, it indicated that, among a sample of men infected with Covid-19, 28% had experienced erectile dysfunction. Called “Mask up to keep it up”, it ended with some advice for men: the researchers encouraged men to wear a mask and get vaccinated to prevent erection problems.
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