Future research couples trying to become pregnant did not find a link between COVID-19 and fertility – with the probability of conception per menstrual cycle – in female or male partners who received Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson.
In contrast, the findings showed that COVID-19 infection in men can temporarily impair fertility – a result that could be avoided by vaccination.
“Many individuals of reproductive age have cited concerns about fertility as a reason for not getting vaccinated,” said Dr., the lead author of the study. Amelia Wesselink, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at BUSPH.
“Our study shows for the first time that with COVID-19 vaccination, neither partner has a link to fertility in couples trying to become pregnant through sexual intercourse. The time to pregnancy was very similar regardless of the vaccination status,” she added.
Wesselink and colleagues analyze research data on COVID-19 vaccination and infection and fertility in female and male participants in the BUSPH-based Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO), an ongoing NIH-funded study involving women attempting to conceive. And follow them with preconception for six months after the birth.
There were 2,126 women in the United States and Canada who provided information on their partners ’sociodemographic data, lifestyles, medical factors, and characteristics from December 2020 to September 2021, and participants were followed in the study until November 2021.
The researchers calculated the likelihood of fertilization per menstrual cycle using the dates of the last menstrual period self-reported by the participants, the typical length of the menstrual cycle, and the pregnancy status. Fertility rates in women who received at least one dose of vaccine were nearly identical among unvaccinated female participants.
Fertility was also similar in male partners who received at least one dose of COVID-19 compared to non-vaccinated male participants. Other analyzes of vaccine dose, vaccine brand, infertility history, occupation, and geographic area also showed that vaccination had no effect on fertility.
Although COVID-19 infection was not strongly associated with fertility, men who tested positive for COVID within 60 days of a given cycle had reduced fertility compared with men who never tested positive or who tested positive at least 60 days earlier. These data supported a previous study linking COVID-19 infection in men with poor sperm quality and other reproductive disorders.
“These data provide convincing evidence that COVID vaccination in both partners does not affect the fertility of couples trying to conceive,” said senior researcher Dr. Lauren is wise, Professor of Epidemiology at BUSPH.
“The prospective study design, large sample size, and geographically heterogeneous study population are strengths of the study, as are the management of many variables such as age, socioeconomic status, existing health conditions, occupations, and stress levels,” he added.
The new data will also help quell concerns about COVID-19 vaccinations and fertility due to anecdotal reports of women whose menstrual cycle changed after vaccination.
Source: ANI
Source: The Nordic Page