If you've recently recovered from COVID-19, men, it may be wise to pause family planning efforts. Research shows the virus can significantly impair sperm quality.
Belgian professor Gilbert Donders, a fertility expert, analyzed semen from men post-infection and found notable damage: reduced sperm count, lower motility, abnormal shapes, and even DNA fragmentation.
Read also: "12 Possible Reasons Why You Can't Get Pregnant"
Reassuringly, these changes are short-lived. Professor Donders recommends couples wait 4-6 months before trying to conceive, by which time sperm parameters typically recover fully.
Though the study involved just 26 men, the results were compelling. A majority showed dramatic drops in sperm count and motility, altered morphology, and DNA damage—changes too consistent to dismiss as chance.
While concerning, the effects resolve with time. A few months of patience can make all the difference for aspiring parents.
