COVID-19 myth: Jab causes male infertility, sexual dysfunction

With vaccine reluctance to be a major concern among people around the world, health experts and officials have debunked the myth of the COVID-19 vaccine – that it affects male sexual function and fertility.

Last year, along with fear of the coronavirus pandemic, so too did misinformation. The internet and other media outlets have been flooded with myths and false information, with a recent COVID-19 myth circulating on social media platforms that there is a link between vaccines and erectile dysfunction.

While this is one of the more recently cited reasons for hesitation about vaccines – that COVID-19 vaccines could affect male fertility – there is in truth no evidence to support it. Instead, research has shown that the virus that causes COVID-19 poses a risk for both diseases.

In addition to the misinformation, there are comments from celebrities, such as a recent tweet about COVID-19 vaccines by superstar rapper Nicki Minaj that caused a stir around the world. The rapper made claims about the side effects of the vaccine, saying that when a friend of her cousin’s got the vaccine, his testicles swelled and he became impotent.

My cousin in Trinidad isn’t getting the vaccine because his friend got it and became impotent. His testicles swelled up. His friend was weeks away from the wedding, now the girl canceled the wedding. So just pray on it and make sure you are happy with your decision and not get bullied

– Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021

Take all claims seriously

This COVID-19 myth quickly debunked Trinidad’s Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, who said officials “take all claims seriously”.

“As we stand now, there are absolutely no reported side effects or adverse events of testicular swelling in Trinidad … and none that we know of anywhere in the world,” he said during a press conference.

While researchers have done little research on how the virus and vaccines affect the male reproductive system, recent research by doctors and researchers at the University of Miami uncover a clear link between COVID-19 infection and men’s sexual health.

Ranjith Ramasamy, the director of the reproductive urology program at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine, and his team analyzed the autopsy tissue from the testicles of six men who died from COVID-19 infections. The study found that the COVID-19 virus appeared in the tissues of one of the men and three had decreased sperm counts. Another patient who had beaten COVID-19 had a testicular biopsy about three months after his COVID-19 infection subsided. The biopsy showed that the coronavirus was still in his testicles.

“Vaccines Are Safe”

According to Ramasamy, his team discovered that COVID-19 affects the penis. The team analyzed the penile tissue of two men who received penile implants, which showed the virus was present seven to nine months after they were diagnosed with COVID-19. One of the men had mild COVID-19 symptoms while the other was hospitalized, but both men developed erectile dysfunction due to the infection that reduced the blood supply to the penis. This suggests that even with minor COVID-19 cases, the virus can cause severe erectile dysfunction after recovery.

The team conducted additional research that showed the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines appear safe for the male reproductive system. The team collected semen samples from 45 men aged 18 and over before receiving either the Pfizer / BioNTech or Moderna vaccine and again more than 70 days after the second dose.

“So this is another reason to get vaccinated – to maintain male fertility and sexual function,” said Ramasamy.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people aged 12 and over, including people trying to get pregnant now or who may become pregnant in the future, as well as their partners.

There is no evidence that vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men. – Health-e news

source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/28/covid-19-myth-jab-causes-male-infertility-sexual-dysfunction/