A man in his 30s has claimed that his penis shrunk by a total of 1.5 inches after contracting COVID-19 last July. After being hospitalised in July 2021 for COVID, he began to experience erectile dysfunction.
However, while this was treated and resolved after he sought medical attention, he noticed a more permanent change. “I seem to be left with a lasting problem. My penis has shrunk,” he said.
Our results are highly suggestive of the role of the infection in the development of the sexual dysfunction and of the possible clinical relevance of COVID-19 as an additional risk factor for the development of ED. Additionally, considering the bidirectional interaction between sexual activity and psychological well-being, the removal of the possible influence of anxiety and depression confirmed that the increased prevalence of ED here found is not only a consequence of the psychological burden of lockdown, but also prominently due to other, bona fide organic factors, among which endothelial dysfunction is the most likely culprit.
