From the Research
Influenza and Erectile Dysfunction
- There is limited research directly investigating the relationship between influenza and erectile dysfunction (ED) 1.
- A study comparing the risk of ED in patients with COVID-19 to those with other common viral infections, including influenza, found that COVID-19 was no more likely to result in a diagnosis of ED or prescription of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) when compared to all acute viral illnesses except herpes zoster 1.
- The study suggests that an inflammatory etiology, perhaps due to cytokine release, endothelial dysfunction, or blunted hormone signaling, behind any acute infection can result in a heightened ED risk 1.
Inflammation and Erectile Dysfunction
- Research has shown that erectile dysfunction is associated with inflammation 2.
- A cross-sectional study found that the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) was correlated with an increased risk of ED in US adults, particularly in those with SII > 485.530 2.
- Another study found that COVID-19 infection was associated with new onset erectile dysfunction, which may be related to the inflammatory response caused by the infection 3.
Risk Factors for Erectile Dysfunction
- Common risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and hyperlipidaemia, are prevalent in patients with ED and may contribute to the development of ED 4.
- Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may also be a risk factor for ED, although this is an under-researched field 5.
- Androgen signalling is critical for erectile function, and exposure to EDCs may disrupt this signalling, potentially leading to ED 5.