“Don’t suffer in silence” warns GP

“Don’t suffer in silence” warns GP as new research reveals long Covid could be impacting men’s sex lives 

Last week, new research was published, revealing long Covid has a much more extensive list of symptoms than originally thought. The survey analysed the health records of over 500,000 people who had been infected with Covid to unearth common symptoms of long covid. 

Among them were three complaints which were particularly concerning to Dr Sameer Sanghvi, Practising GP and Clinical Technology Lead at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor: 

“I’m worried three male-specific symptoms –  hair loss, reduced libido and difficulty ejaculating – may have a negative effect on men’s self esteem. In my experience as a doctor, these symptoms can all impact men’s confidence and, thus, their sex lives.” 

Dr Sanghvi says Google search data supports the idea that this is something men are searching for advice about: 

“Since this research came out, interest in the link between long Covid and these symptoms has skyrocketed. Google search volumes show queries asking ‘does covid cause erectile dysfunction’ were up 650% week on week, while searches for ‘long covid hair loss’ increased by 130%. In my view, this is evidence that this is something men are really concerned about.

Dr Sanghvi wants to share some advice for men who may have been impacted following a Covid infection: 

“If you have had Covid and have started to notice unusual symptoms such as hair loss or any form of sexual dysfunction, don’t suffer in silence. Book an appointment with a doctor and talk to them about your symptoms.”

Hair loss 

“In my experience, hair loss can have a massive impact on men’s self esteem so it’s important not to ignore this symptom of long Covid. An appointment with your GP is probably the best option. They may decide to conduct tests in order to find the best treatment option.

“Don’t be too concerned though. Hair loss caused by fever, illness or stress tends to grow back, given time.”

Low libido 

“If a low libido is your concern, it’s best to discuss treatment options with your doctor because treatment usually depends on the cause.

“A great place to start is by looking after your mental health and ensuring you’re getting enough sleep and exercise, and are eating healthily. I’d also encourage taking the time to have open discussions with your partner about your emotional needs.”

Difficulty ejaculating 

“When it comes to erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation tends to get the most attention. But this research has found delayed ejaculation to be an issue for men with long Covid. This is when men have difficulty ejaculating or fail to ejaculate, even when stimulated. 

“Treatment varies depending on the underlying cause, so the starting point should be a discussion with your GP.”