New study suggests COVID-19 could make it harder for people to have children

PITTSBURGH — COVID-19 symptoms can vary from a high fever and muscle aches to breathing issues with the most severe cases requiring patients be put on a ventilator.

But a recent study from the University of Miami suggests the virus could have a long-term impact on men interested in starting a family.

The study examined the testis tissue of six men who died from COVID-19.

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Researchers found impaired sperm in three of the men.

“This is only in six patients and they compared it to three patients who passed from other reasons. But this is one of the first times people are proving there was a viral presence within the testicle,” said Dr. Kat Hwang, a urologist and the director of UPMC’s Men’s Health Center.

While worthy of evaluation, Hwang said plenty of work remains before any drastic changes need to be made.

“It’s still so early to say you absolutely shouldn’t try to conceive at this point,” Hwang said.

Those concerns are also expanding to the COVID-19 vaccine.

Hwang said several of her patients have asked her directly whether they should take the vaccine.

Her answer hasn’t changed.

Reporter: What is your recommendation to them at this point?

“Our recommendation is a resounding yes. The vaccine at this point is not a live virus. It’s a MRNA that stimulates your own cells that creates a protein that generally at this point has shown to be quite safe,” Hwang said.

The study also raised the possibility of COVID-19 being sexually transmitted. However, Dr. Whang and the lead author of the study agree more research and studies are needed to fully understand how the virus impacts reproduction.

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