Study: Vaccines do not cause sterility, but Covid-19 does cause sterility

The study evaluated couples who were trying to have a baby. (Photo: Playback / Pixabay)

A new study conducted by the Boston University School of Public Health in the US shows that vaccination against COVID-19 does not cause sterility. However, research shows that COVID-19 can infertile men in the short term.

unpublished American Journal of EpidemiologyThe study evaluated couples who were trying to have a baby and found no evidence that fertility rates and the likelihood of conception had changed due to the COVID-19 vaccination. The study took into account those who had been immunized with vaccines from Pfizer, Janssen, and Moderna.

On the other hand, the study suggests that men who have contracted the Covid-19 virus may have a temporary decrease in fertility, which scientists suggest can be prevented through vaccination.

For the research, the scientists analyzed data from 2,126 women and partners between December 2020 and November 2021. The researchers calculated the probability of pregnancy for each menstrual cycle using data from the participants’ last menstrual period, typical cycle length, and pregnancy status.

Fertility rates among participants who received at least one dose of the vaccine were almost identical to those of unvaccinated participants. Fertility was also similar for the men who received at least one dose of the vaccine compared to the unvaccinated participants.

Men who tested positive for COVID-19 within 60 days of a cycle had reduced fertility compared to men who did not test positive.

The finding is similar to that of other studies pointing to infertility as a consequence of COVID-19. Research conducted at the University of São Paulo School of Medicine (USP) evaluated tissue samples taken from autopsies of men who died as a result of COVID-19. The result indicated a series of testicular lesions that could be attributed to inflammatory changes that reduce sperm production.