A man in his thirties has spoken publicly about a distressing complication he developed after COVID-19.
He says the infection caused severe vascular damage, leaving his penis 1.5 inches shorter.

A Life-Changing After-Effect

The man, a heterosexual American, shared his story on the How To Do It podcast.
He described becoming seriously ill with COVID in July, then leaving hospital with unexpected erectile dysfunction.
Medical treatment eventually improved his erections, but he later noticed a significant loss of length.
Doctors told him the change was likely permanent due to damage within the erectile tissue — a problem linked to long COVID in rare cases.

He said the issue has affected his confidence and his sex life.

What Research Shows

A University College London study of 3,400 people found penile shortening in a small number of long-COVID patients.
Another study from the University of Miami identified viral particles in penile tissue and highlighted widespread endothelial injury, a known factor in erectile dysfunction.

Can It Be Reversed?

Urologists responding to the case stressed that shrinkage can occur when erectile dysfunction limits normal erections over time.
However, they also said the condition may not be hopeless.
Therapies involving medication, stretching routines and vacuum devices can sometimes help restore length.

Experts agree further research is needed, but they also warn that COVID’s impact on vascular health can have lasting consequences well beyond the lungs.