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Study finds Covid-19 vaccines do not affect fertility for women or men

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - A new study finds COVID-19 vaccinations do not have adverse effects on fertility in women or men.

The study, published January 20 in the American Journal of Epidemiology, followed over 2,000 couples in the United States and Canada that were trying to conceive from December 2020 to November 2021.

The researchers involved concluded there was "no adverse association between COVID-19 vaccination and fertility.'

"I think that the studies that are coming out, particularly this study, released in the American Journal of Epidemiology, is really supportive of the safety of the vaccine administration in those trying to conceive," said Dr. Chris Thomson, Vice President and Group Physician Executive at Centura Health.

However, there was a short-term decrease in fertility after men contracted COVID-19. Researchers say when a male partner in the study tested positive for COVID-19 within 60 days of the woman's menstrual cycle, the couple was 18 percent less likely to conceive in that cycle.

"It's definitely what the evidence is bearing out, is that ultimately getting COVID, at least in some of these early studies accumulating thousands of patients, is beginning to look like its effect is to decrease fertility," said Dr. Thomson. "So probably more to come on the supposed mechanism of that, but it looks like it's bearing out in the evidence with these studies.”

Reasons for the dip infertility for men who had COVID-19 could be connected to fevers, which is a common symptom of coronavirus. The study says fever is a "known determinant of impaired spermatogenesis." A fever's effects on sperm concentration, motility, and morphology can last for 3-4 months.

The fertility decline could also be related to immune response and inflammation in the testes and epididymis, which have been observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

The researchers behind this study say their results can be used to guide decision-making around vaccinations for reproductive-aged individuals, particularly those who are trying to conceive now, or in the future.

While it's normal for hopeful moms and dads to have concerns, doctors remind them studies show the virus is exponentially more of a threat to your health than the vaccine.

"We clearly know that if you're pregnant and ultimately get COVID, yes, there's going to be outcomes not only for a mom, but also for the baby as well," said Dr. Thomson. "So I would definitely say that it's riskier to get COVID than to get the vaccine."

Dr. Thomson says if you are looking to become pregnant or are currently pregnant and have questions about the vaccine, reach out to your obstetrician, primary care physician, urologist, or other healthcare professional involved in fertility or in obstetric care for information.

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Mallory Anderson

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