The Global pandemic COVID-19 has shaken the world to the core. From health matters to economic affairs, everything has turned upside down. 

Survivors of COVID-19 have reported some side effects which persisted after the recovery from the virus. Heart diseases, muscle spasms, weak joints, and deteriorated mental health are to list a few.

According to Dr. Sheldon Marks MD, from DadsAgain (ICVR – International Center for Vasectomy Reversal) the damage caused by COVID isn’t only limited to the ones listed above. According to the research on male adults, the virus might cause irreparable damage to testosterone in adult males, if worsened, it might even lead to infertility.

If you want professional advice on your sperm count and testosterone follow ICVR’s Official FaceBook Page.

Miller School of Medicine recently conducted research. The samples of tissue of 6 men were taken who lost their lives due to this virus. The researchers stated in their reports that the signs of this virus were also present in the testicles of the subject.

So, are men with a strong immune system safe from the damages of this virus?

Effects on Asymptomatic Adult

To check if the men with strong immunity were able to resist the effect of this virus, a study was conducted on a 28-year-old man. The man was tested positive for COVID yet, he showed no symptoms. However, the infection was present in his testicles.

Another man who had recovered from COVID was called for a few tests. The researchers stated that the man had complained about facing certain problems related to infertility. They further stated that upon the advice of the researchers, the man voluntary opted for testes biopsy 

Need for Thorough Investigation

The above-stated research is not only shocking but also calls for the need to conduct more in-depth research to arrive at a concrete conclusion. Furthermore, strong shreds of evidence are needed to confirm that the presence of the virus in the testes doesn’t seep into the semen. Making it a sexually transmitted disease.

Also, an expert has conducted extensive research on this topic. According to him, soon there will be an approximately 20%-30% increase in the infertility problem in males.

The expert further stated that before developing any conclusions, thorough research is needed on a large scale.

Pain in Testicles

After conducting and researching on the samples of the COVID affected, the doctors strongly advise visiting a urologist if the pain or discomfort persists in the testicles. 

Because of the prevailing situation, any sort of pain in the testicles should not be taken lightly. Immediately consult a urologist.

The discomfort and pain in the testicle could be a warning that the virus had made itself comfortable in your body.

COVID versus Young People

The National Center for Biotechnology Information has confirmed after their research that the presence of the virus in the testicles damage Leydig, and Sertoli, 2 of the critical cells. Then it may give rise to serious infertility issues.

It is important to highlight the fact that the degree of damage caused by this virus varies with age. Studies have shown that younger males are more prone to damage than older males.

The researchers concluded that testicular infection-induced with virus entering the body may increase the chances of infertility. Unfortunately, no data has been able to trace the exact channel in which this virus damages the testes. It is yet to be studied and revealed.

Researchers are still carrying out tests and studies to conclude whether the damage may be due to an immunological response or mainly due to direct invasion. 

It would be really interesting to see which direction these further studies take. What further developments are made to evaluate the fertility of affected males and how long is the follow-up period to observe the development of fertility complications. 

Sperm Count Damage

Not only COVID but, even normal fever can affect the sperm-producing capacity of the body. The sperm-producing capacity of the body weakens until the person is fully recovered. 

In case of prolonged and high fever, it may take around 2-3 months for the body to return to its normal sperm-producing capacity.

The researchers have concluded that the COVID has adverse effects on the sperm count. However, more extensive researches on a wider scale are required to confirm the above-stated conclusion.

However, it is important to state that the evidence to find the effect on the sperm-producing capacity of the asymptomatic men with strong immunity is not enough at the present.

If you feel even the slightest discomfort or pain, or if you have recently recovered from Corona Virus then you should immediately schedule an appointment with a urologist.

It is strongly recommended by the medical experts to get the one sperm count evaluated in the present. Another one to be evaluated after three months from recovering from the virus for the comparison purpose. The two tests will not only help the affected in his diagnosis but, will also contribute to further investigation on the same topic.

Another benefit that would be derived from these evaluations is that the body will be free from the effects of the COVID after 3 months. By that time the body would return to its normal sperm-producing capacity.

To further ensure that there are no traces of the virus in your body or the damage caused by it, get yourself evaluated again after 6 months. 

Many studies have claimed that the COVID poses serious damage to the Leydig cells, but these claims need more concrete evidence. But, the damage to testosterone-producing cells is unanimously agreed upon by many researchers.

None of the researches and investigations have confirmed that either such an infection would be a direct transmission of the virus to the testes or simply an immunological response to the infection.

It is yet to be confirmed whether this deteriorating testosterone level is a result of the body’s immunological response or the damage to the blood vessels?

Furthermore, researchers are also expecting that the damage caused to the testosterone level could be either due to the decrease of oxygen in the blood or the body’s response to the treatment of this virus.

Conclusion

At the moment, it is too early to jump to conclusions as the research and studies are not enough to prove the link of COVID with the infertility issue in males. To prove this link, thorough and extensive research is needed on a wider scope.

Data and medical history of numerous COVID patients would be required to develop a strong conclusion. 

Currently, every medical expert insists upon seeing a urologist if there is pain in the testicles. An appointment and a few tests are recommended to stay safe and treat the infection in an early stage.