Erectile Dysfunction in Men Who Have Been Ill with COVID-19
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Abstract
The rapid spread of COVID-19 among the human population and the occurrence of complications of the disease, including sexual function, lead to the relevance of researches among the medical and scientific community.
The results of epidemiological studies indicate that COVID-19 more often affects men than women. Also, among the significant factors for the development of complications are the age and presence of comorbidities, among which diabetes, hypertension and obesity play an important role.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) in men today is considered as a marker of endothelial dysfunction and systemic inflammation caused by the background disease, and the presence of comorbidities.
Modern views on the pathogenesis of the development of ED in men who had COVID-19, and the features of development of sexual function in the presence of comorbidities are presented in the article.
According to modern positions, one of the main mechanisms of penetration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is its interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and transmembrane serine protease 2. Immunohistochemical studies have established a high expression of these enzymes in the endothelial cells of testicular tissue in men, which is currently considered by researchers as a direct damaging factor for the normal functioning of Leydig and Sertoli cells.
Subclinical hypogonadism, psychological distress and impaired pulmonary hemodynamics cause the potential development of ED. Also, in the pathogenesis of ED development in men who have been ill with COVID-19, important attention is paid to the role of systemic inflammation caused by the disbalance of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.
The relevant problem of today is the influence of coronavirus on the reproductive function of men. It is known that now male infertility has been diagnosed more often than before. In addition, there are enough reasonable factors to expect the effects of the negative effects of the COVID-19 not only on reproductive health but also on sexual and cardiovascular health of men, both in the short-term and in the long-term perspective.
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