Post COVID hormonal imbalances cause sexual disorders in men: Study

Lucknow: A new study on post-Covid impact show that more patients are reporting hormonal imbalances, leading to male sexual disorders.

The Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) reported that they are getting, on average, ten such patients every day.

Professor Gyan Chand of SGPGIMS said that the latest review article, published in the Journal of Endocrine Society has revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the Covid-19 disease, is not only affecting the pancreas, but also other endocrine glands.

"The department of internal medicine at Loyola University Medical Centre, Maywood, Illinois (the US) and the department of medicine, division of endocrinology, Loyola University Health Care System and endocrinology section, medical service, VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois have revealed that SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) virus is causing moderate to severe disease in about 15 per cent of post-Covid patients."

"It has widespread effects throughout the body with myriad clinical manifestations, including the endocrine system. It is having an impact on the pathophysiology and management of diabetes (both outpatient and inpatient) as well as the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, bone, and gonadal function," he added.

The gonadal hormones were more affected in males resulting in altered sperm quality and reduced testosterone.

He said these patients required proper treatment for four to six months.

"In some cases, patients returning for treatment have reported widespread effects throughout the body with lesser-known clinical manifestations," he added.

"It is known to everyone that the Covid virus sticks to ACE-2 receptors. Hence, it is affecting all the endocrine glands" he said.

He also pointed out "There are several reports of scrotal discomfort, even severe scrotal pain in people once infected with Covid-19."