Doctors have claimed Covid-19 infections could make men unable to get a sturdy erection.
Dr Axel-Juerg Potempa, a well-known urologist and sexual health guru, made the claims following his analysis of the effects of the virus on male patients.
About 32 people that he is currently treating are facing erection problems following recent infections, he claimed.
The patients are between 31 and 69 years old, he said.
He said: "A mild infection is no guarantee that a person will be spared from long-term effects."
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Other doctors, including US scientist Dr Dena Grayson, have similar opinions.
Scientists said erectile dysfunction comes from vascular inflammation caused by the virus, which is mostly related to thrombosis and strokes.
According to Dr Potempa, this so-called vasculitis also interferes with nitric oxide activity necessary for vessel widening and erection hardness.
Nitric oxide is needed for the muscles in the penis to relax and is an important part of the reaction chain because it ensures oxygen is pumped into the tissue before the erection occurs.
He said: "Corona also inhibits the formation of sex hormones, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)."
The affected patients are mainly treated with PDE-5 inhibitors, such as Viagra, Levitra, Cialis or Spedra which all contain proteins that increase the blood supply in the male reproductive organ.
However, Dr Potempa said that even though improvement is possible, the treatment can take up to several months.
"That is why the impotence problem is another strong argument that a corona vaccination makes sense. The side effects are evidently lower than possible long-term health and lust consequences," added Dr Potempa.
