Covid-19 infection is a global tragedy. It is the latest and probably the deadliest disease in several decades to disturb the public health infrastructure and disrupt our everyday lives. Heart disease, joint pain, a weakened muscle tone, and a compromised mental capacity have been cited as long-term complications of the disease. However, recent studies have shown that the problems do not end here. Loss of hair, development of mental health issues, weight loss may be long-term complications of the virus, but the latest known complication of the infection is fertility damage for adult males.

According to Dr. Sheldon Marks MD, from DadsAgain (ICVR - International Center for Vasectomy Reversal), the Covid-19’s complications may be life-threatening, but the latest findings, if proven with research on a grand scale, could pose challenges to population growth in the near future. According to him, the Covid-19 infection may pose serious risks of diminishing testosterone levels among adult males.

By visiting the ICVR's Official FaceBook Page, you can find the latest updates on Covid-19 and its potential complications. You may also find interesting findings on maintaining sperm count in a healthy way and getting your testosterone evaluated.

See a Urologist if You Feel Uneasy

If there’s a pain in your testes, you may want to see a urologist. A baseline testosterone test may also help a great deal. Pain in testes could be an indication of adverse effects on testosterone. So, it’s better to see a urologist.

Covid-19 Infection Found in the Testes Tissue of Deceased Patients

The virus remains in the deceased person. This is no new discovery. However, what’s alarming that researchers at the Miller School of Medicine had examinations of 6 deceased men’s testicular tissues and found that the infection was present in them. It seems imperative to inquire more about the presence of the infection over longer periods in patients who have successfully recovered from the virus.

Is There Any Risk for Young People?

Studies have shown that the risk for younger people may be much more than for the elderly. However, more research is needed before any conclusive findings could be shared.

What about Asymptomatic Adults?

Surprisingly, the case is no different for asymptomatic adults. In fact, a 28-year-old man who recently recovered from the infection was reported to have to contain the virus in his testes. Despite having a strong immune response to deter the virus, the infection was present in his testes. However, more research is needed to know if the infection can persist over an enduring time.

Concerns about Sperm Count

High body temperature will certainly act as an obstacle to sperm generation. Sperm may only rejuvenate once the fever bids goodbye. However, at maximum sperm counts may remain constant for 3 months and then regenerate to their production levels. It seems of interest to inquire more on what kind of damage the Covid-19 can have on sperm count. Even if there is a case of successful damage, is it enough to damage fertility?

Besides, more studies need to be conducted to know the issues with asymptomatic cases that show strong immune response and recover instantly. It would be interesting to see if the sperm counts change overtime for such types of cases.

How a Sperm Count Evaluation May Help?

Sperm count evaluation may help in case you were previously Covid positive and have recovered successfully by taking essential precautions. Sperms levels regenerate after three months. So, getting an evaluation post-recovery may help to know if you are at risk of poor fertility. Also, follow-up evaluations over the course of 9 months may support better outcomes and help you regain confidence regarding your fertility. So, sperm count evaluation is highly recommended.

We Need More Research into the Matter....

There are some studies of academic background that have shown that a potential relationship between the novel virus infection and fertility may persist as the infection over the course of its activity impacted the Leydig cells. Additionally, recent research backs the idea that Covid-19 has robust potential to damage the testosterone level of the patients. Still, this study like many others did not provide any conclusive evidence that whether this damage is brought upon by the body’s natural inflammatory response to the virus, or is testosterone damage primarily a cause of the direct invasion of the disease into the body.

Other Potential Reasons!

Since it is yet to be discovered that whether the depletion of sperm count is a mere cause of the fever or the direct invasion of the virus, some researchers are also wary of the idea that the testosterone level drops may be a cause of a lack of oxygen saturation in blood vessels. In addition to it, since the virus stands as a novel one, it is yet to be found whether its treatment methodologies or medications’ side effects could pose potential harm to male fertility.

In another study carried out by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the Covid-19 infection may pose severe risks to the fertility of adult males. The study further added more close examination is required to know if the virus seeps through the testes and damages two critical cells for reproducing including Leydig and Sertoli.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the testosterone levels of the patients of Covid-19 will surely be affected. This poses risks to male fertility. However, prior to making any conclusion on the matter, it is imperative to caution extensive research on the subject.

First, whether the trigger is the immunological response or the invasion of the virus, is yet to be known.

Second, a larger sample is needed to generalize the findings to a better level.

Third, pain in the testes is not to be treated the usual way. Pain cautions care and one must get checked by a specialist.

Fourth, periodic evaluation of sperm count after recovering from the novel infection is highly recommended.

Fifth, studying patients’ testosterone levels with a follow-up period post-recovery may also help in uncovering meaningful knowledge.