Scientists from the University of Magna Graecia in Italy, together, managed to cure a man who suffered from persistent erectile dysfunction for a year and a half after contracting the coronavirus. The results of this clinical case study, published In the sex magazine.
A 35-year-old married man applied to doctors with the complaint of sudden erection problem. To begin treatment, doctors needed to identify the causes of the problem. Diagnostic examination did not reveal risk factors for the development of this disease, testosterone levels were normal. However, dynamic duplex ultrasound of the penis revealed dysfunctional blood flow in the arteries of the penis. In addition, it was found to have high levels of endothelial dysfunction markers such as CRP (C-reactive protein) and endothelin-1 and low levels of vitamin D.
For a long time, experts could not understand what triggered the dysfunction. It turned out that the man had coronavirus 4 months before he went to the hospital. Scientists have decided that this is the only way to explain sudden erectile dysfunction.
Viral infection with SARS-CoV-2 occurs first in respiratory epithelial cells and vascular endothelial cells and causes endothelial dysfunction either directly through endothelial cell infection or indirectly through other susceptible cell types that trigger hyperinflammation. Endothelial dysregulation contributes to vasoconstriction and thrombosis and is also associated with erectile dysfunction.
For treatment, doctors prescribed high doses of oral phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5is) inhibitors, vitamin D, and LI-SWT (low-intensity shock wave therapy) to the patient. After just six months, the patient reported a significant improvement in the frequency and quality of her erections. But it was back to a “pre-covid” state just 18 months after treatment began.