Busting myths: Will the Covid-19 vaccine make your partner impotent?

Ever since the Covid-19 vaccines were introduced last year, the world hasn’t been able to stop talking about it! In the recent past, there were several myths around how the vaccine affects the menstrual cycle in a huge way. Of course, temporary effects may be felt, but there’s nothing to be worried about. Taking it one step ahead is a new myth that has been perpetuating the occurrence of impotency in those men who have been inoculated.

The myth spread like wildfire, especially when popular singer Nicki Minaj shared with her 22 million social media followers that her cousin’s friend got impotent after getting the vaccine. But is there any truth to this claim? Does the Covid-19 vaccine really cause erectile dysfunction?

It’s time to find out.

Covid-19 and erectile dysfunction: Is there a link?

In a study published in July this year, researchers in Italy surveyed more than 2,000 men about their health and ED. These men had all tested positive for the virus. There’s only been this one study that claims that Covid-19 is likely to increase the chances of developing erectile dysfunction. There definitely needs to be more research done in this regard, before we say it with certainty.

Dr Rajinder Kumar Singhal, Senior Director and Head of Department – Internal Medicine, BLK- Max Super Speciality Hospital, told HealthShots, “Many stories have been doing the rounds on social media, claiming that Covid-19 vaccines could cause erectile dysfunction but there is absolutely no medical evidence to support this patent misinformation campaign. WHO has absolutely dismissed these stories about Covid-19 vaccines causing impotence or infertility.”

He adds, “There is no evidence that any of the vaccines leads to erectile dysfunction, sterility, infertility either in men or women. There are no detrimental changes in sperm counts and other fertility measures after vaccination in any study so far.”

On a population level, hundreds of millions of men have got this vaccine and there is no study showing reduced erectile function in men who have been vaccinated.

Earlier, the Drug Authority of India had dismissed claims of Covid-19 vaccines causing impotence or infertility. According to reports, VG Somani, chief of the Drug Authority of India called these claims “absolute rubbish”.

“There is no established link between Covid-19 vaccines and male infertility or lower sperm counts. Such 101% patently false concoctions must be rubbished,” says Dr Singhal.

Erectile Dysfunction is often a symptom of other issues

It is important to know that Covid-19 impacts the pulmonary system. On the other hand, erectile dysfunction is largely a symptom of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or even coronary diseases. This also means, according to initial reports, that getting Covid-19 vaccine will reduce the flare-ups of such diseases, and in turn, Erectile Dysfunction. We already know that the vaccine has been created to make your immune response stronger.