There is increasing concern about the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on mental and physical health. Among the many possible outcomes of COVID-19, reports of sleep disturbances, and erectile dysfunction are becoming prevalent worldwide.
We sought to evaluate the recent literature on this subject to produce a narrative review of the topic.
We performed an extensive literature search to identify recent scientific findings on this subject.
To date, the precise mechanisms that trigger pandemic related sexual dysfunction are not completely understood, although it has been suggested that psychogenic effects play an important role, in addition to the direct effects of the disease itself on those infected. There is evidence that the stress induced by the pandemic has had a significant impact on sleep, and sleep disturbances are known to induce erectile dysfunction. Other mechanisms which trigger this phenomenon, such as hormonal changes and previous health conditions, have been suggested to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and these factors may have a potential link to sleep disturbance.
The combined effect of COVID-19 and the psychogenic disorders triggered by isolation, grief, and anxiety might be associated with the increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction. This feature might be worsened by the onset of pre-existing or pandemic-induced sleep disorders. However, few studies explored this subject. Understanding this phenomenon is important for the strategic planning of treatments that could improve the quality of life of the population. Andersen ML, Tufik S. The Association Between Sleep Disturbances and Erectile Dysfunction During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sex Med Rev 2021;XX:XXX-XXX.
Sexual medicine reviews. 2021 Dec 17 [Epub ahead of print]
Monica Levy Andersen, Sergio Tufik
Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: ., Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil.