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No evidence of a link between the COVID-19 vaccines and impotence or swollen testicles. Here's what we know so far.

No evidence of a link between the COVID-19 vaccines and impotence or swollen testicles. Here's what we know so far.

This article was published on
September 15, 2021

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There is no link between any of the COVID-19 vaccines and impotence or swollen testicles. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective in preventing serious illness or death, and the symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection are far more serious and life threatening than any symptoms associated with the vaccines, which have been rigorously tested and studied by health experts.

There is no link between any of the COVID-19 vaccines and impotence or swollen testicles. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective in preventing serious illness or death, and the symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection are far more serious and life threatening than any symptoms associated with the vaccines, which have been rigorously tested and studied by health experts.

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What our experts say

There is no evidence to suggest a link between the COVID-19 vaccines and impotence or swollen testicles. There has been some evidence to suggest a link between COVID-19 infection and erectile dysfunction or impotence, but there have been no documented links with any of the vaccines and these symptoms.

The three COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use in the United States have been rigorously studied, tested, and deemed safe and effective in preventing serious illness due to COVID-19. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has additionally received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), adding an even more thorough layer of review to the safety and efficacy of the shot. Studies to date have not found any documented links between the COVID-19 vaccine and impotence or testicle swelling.

Side effects of vaccines are mostly limited to pain, redness, swelling, tiredness, headaches, muscle pain, chills, nausea, or fever in some patients, and these symptoms disappear in a few days. In very rare instances, some individuals experience severe or immediate allergic reactions, which is why healthcare professionals advise patients to monitor symptoms 15-30 minutes after getting the shot. These side effects are completely normal, and are very minor compared to the experiences of COVID-19 symptoms.

There is no evidence to suggest a link between the COVID-19 vaccines and impotence or swollen testicles. There has been some evidence to suggest a link between COVID-19 infection and erectile dysfunction or impotence, but there have been no documented links with any of the vaccines and these symptoms.

The three COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorized for emergency use in the United States have been rigorously studied, tested, and deemed safe and effective in preventing serious illness due to COVID-19. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has additionally received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), adding an even more thorough layer of review to the safety and efficacy of the shot. Studies to date have not found any documented links between the COVID-19 vaccine and impotence or testicle swelling.

Side effects of vaccines are mostly limited to pain, redness, swelling, tiredness, headaches, muscle pain, chills, nausea, or fever in some patients, and these symptoms disappear in a few days. In very rare instances, some individuals experience severe or immediate allergic reactions, which is why healthcare professionals advise patients to monitor symptoms 15-30 minutes after getting the shot. These side effects are completely normal, and are very minor compared to the experiences of COVID-19 symptoms.

Context and background

The best way to protect against serious symptoms of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. All of the vaccines are safe and effective in preventing serious COVID-19 illness. Based on data from King County in Washington State, people who are not fully vaccinated are 7 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, 50 times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19, and 30 times more likely to die from COVID-19 infection. The risks from COVID-19 infection are far greater than any minor risk from vaccines. While there are minor risks such as headaches, nausea, and fever from the COVID-19 vaccine, there is no risk of erectile dysfunction, impotence, or swollen testicles in men, based on data collected from more than 380 million administered vaccine doses in the United States.

The best way to protect against serious symptoms of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. All of the vaccines are safe and effective in preventing serious COVID-19 illness. Based on data from King County in Washington State, people who are not fully vaccinated are 7 times more likely to test positive for COVID-19, 50 times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19, and 30 times more likely to die from COVID-19 infection. The risks from COVID-19 infection are far greater than any minor risk from vaccines. While there are minor risks such as headaches, nausea, and fever from the COVID-19 vaccine, there is no risk of erectile dysfunction, impotence, or swollen testicles in men, based on data collected from more than 380 million administered vaccine doses in the United States.

Resources

  1. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Overview and Safety (U.S. Centers for Disease Control
  2. Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine (U.S. Centers for Disease Control)
  3. Full FDA Approval of a COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Should Know (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
  4. COVID-19 outcomes by vaccination status (Public Health-Seattle King County)
  5. COVID-19 Endothelial Dysfunction Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study of the Human Penis (World J Mens Health)
  1. Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Overview and Safety (U.S. Centers for Disease Control
  2. Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine (U.S. Centers for Disease Control)
  3. Full FDA Approval of a COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Should Know (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
  4. COVID-19 outcomes by vaccination status (Public Health-Seattle King County)
  5. COVID-19 Endothelial Dysfunction Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study of the Human Penis (World J Mens Health)

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