Hormonal Imbalance: Experts Show Concern Over Another Complication Reported In Covid Recovered Patients

People who have recovered from Covid-19 has reported hormonal imbalances. Experts are concerned about these significant post-Covid complications, which has affected several people till now.

Although cases of Covid-19 continue to dip in most parts of the country, there is still a slew of complications affecting people who have recovered. Once infected, the coronavirus frequently leaves people with months of unresolved health issues. While it can affect multiple organs of your body, it can also disturb the ebb and flow of your hormones. The latest article published in the Journal of Endocrine Society found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can also affect your endocrine glands, even leading to male sexual disorders.

Post-Covid Hormonal Imbalances On An Increase

On a daily basis, the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) receives 10 such patients. Professor Gyan Chand of SGPGIMS stated that a recent review study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society indicated that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19 disease, affects not only the pancreas but also other endocrine glands, causing male sexual problems.

As per the study results, Covid-19 is causing moderate to severe disease in about 15 per cent of post-Covid patients. The department of internal medicine at Loyola University Medical Centre, Maywood, Illinois (the US) and the department of medicine, division of endocrinology, Loyola University Health Care System and endocrinology section, medical service, VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois revealed, "It has widespread effects throughout the body with myriad clinical manifestations, including the endocrine system. It is having an impact on the pathophysiology and management of diabetes (both outpatient and inpatient) as well as the pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, bone, and gonadal function."

Males were more impacted by gonadal hormones, which resulted in poor sperm quality and low testosterone. He stated that these individuals will require four to six months of therapy.

Men More Susceptible to Hormonal Imbalances Post Covid

In another study published in The European Society of Endocrinology, males are more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 than females, and they have a greater chance of dying from it. Researchers explain that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, requires two membrane receptors termed ACE2 and TMPRSS2 to get into its host cells.

Androgens, or male sex hormones, are thought to stimulate the synthesis of these receptors in the cells that lining the lungs' airways, making it simpler for the virus to infect lung tissue in men. Other research is being conducted to better understand how Covid-19 may impact hormones.

Common Signs Of Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones play a crucial part in your general well-being. As a result, a wide range of signs and symptoms may indicate a hormonal imbalance. The indications and symptoms you experience will be determined by whatever hormones or glands are malfunctioning. Some of the common symptoms of hormonal imbalance in both men and women include:

• Weak muscles
• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Unexpected weight loss
• A hump of fat between the shoulders
• Sore or stiff muscles
• Swelling or stiffness in your joints
• Eyesight problems
• Increased or decreased heart rate
• Sweating
• Anxiety or impatience
• Sensitivity to cold or heat
• Reduced sexual desire
• Depression
• Constipation or frequent bowel motions
• Infertility
• Frequent urination
• Increased hunger
• Dry skin, thinning hair or brittle hair
• Swollen face
• Purple or pink stretch marks

(with inputs from agencies)