How Long COVID Might Be Affecting Your Fertility

ByRohan Sharma
Updated: 23 Jul 2025, 4:14 pm

You're doing everything right tracking ovulation, maintaining a balanced diet, reducing stress, and yet, something feels off. If you've had COVID-19 in the past and now find yourself wondering whether it's playing a role in your fertility challenges, you're not alone. While research is still evolving, more and more studies are beginning to suggest a connection between long COVID and reproductive health.This article unpacks what we know so far, what experts are still trying to understand, and how you can navigate fertility with more clarity and confidence.

Pregatips.com

Long COVID, also known as post-COVID-19 condition, refers to a group of symptoms that continue or develop after the initial infection has cleared typically beyond four weeks. For some, these symptoms last for months.
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Common symptoms include:

  • Fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest
  • Brain fog
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Breathlessness
  • Muscle aches
  • Sleep disturbances
And for many, especially those trying to conceive, it also brings new menstrual irregularities, hormonal imbalances, and changes in libido.

Now you may be thinking, “But I had a mild case” or “I recovered months ago.”
That’s fair. But here’s the thing, long COVID doesn’t always follow the rules. Some people with mild or even asymptomatic infections report lingering reproductive changes much later.


Can Long COVID Affect Fertility?

While definitive answers are still being researched, many individuals and fertility experts are beginning to see patterns, especially when it comes to the way the virus affects hormones, inflammation, and overall reproductive health.

Here’s what we currently know:

1. Long COVID may influence hormonal regulation, potentially altering menstrual patterns

You're not imagining it if your period became irregular after COVID.
Some people report:

  • Longer or shorter cycles
  • Missed periods
  • Heavier bleeding
  • Spotting mid-cycle
This may be linked to the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, which controls your menstrual cycle. COVID-related stress or inflammation can throw this delicate balance off temporarily or in some cases, for longer.

2. It might affect sperm health, too

For those with sperm, long COVID may influence:

  • Sperm count
  • Motility (how well the sperm swim)
  • Morphology (shape and structure)
While these effects may not be permanent, temporary damage due to fever or inflammation during COVID-19 illness has been observed.

3. Long COVID may elevate inflammation and oxidative stress

Inflammation is a big one when it comes to fertility.
Chronic inflammation can:

  • Disrupt ovulation
  • Affect implantation
  • Impair sperm quality
  • Increase the risk of miscarriage
COVID-19, especially in its long form, may keep the body in a prolonged inflammatory state. You may not feel “sick,” but your body could still be dealing with low-grade inflammation which might be enough to complicate conception efforts.


But here’s what you need to know

It’s easy to spiral when you read all this. You might be thinking:

“What if I’ve unknowingly damaged my chances?”
“Am I already too late?”
“Should I pause trying until I’m sure?”

Let’s pause here. There’s no evidence that long COVID permanently impacts fertility for most people. But it can make things temporarily harder, especially if your body is still recovering even silently.


What Can You Do Now?

To enhance reproductive wellness, consider these evidence-based steps that support healing and fertility.

1. Track your cycles

Note any irregularities, length, flow, PMS changes, or ovulation signs.
Even subtle changes matter and can offer helpful clues to your care team.

2. Get your hormones checked

Ask your doctor about testing for FSH, LH, estradiol, prolactin, TSH, AMH, and testosterone if you menstruate or testosterone, FSH, LH, and semen analysis if you don’t.

3. Support your body with gentle anti-inflammatory habits

  • Balanced diet with fresh fruits, leafy greens, and healthy fats
  • Regular but not intense exercise
  • Adequate sleep
  • Mind-body practices like yoga or guided meditation

4. See a fertility expert

Even if you’re just planning or “thinking about trying,” it’s okay to check-in.
Mention your COVID history openly so they can tailor your evaluation accordingly.

Long COVID may not be something you immediately connect to fertility, but if you’ve been feeling “off” and struggling to conceive, it’s worth paying attention to. Subtle hormonal shifts, inflammation, or menstrual changes post-COVID can quietly affect your reproductive health. The good news? Most of these effects are temporary and manageable with the right support. Don’t hesitate to seek help, whether it’s tracking your cycle, checking hormones, or simply speaking to a fertility expert. Your body has been through a lot, and healing is possible.

FAQs on How Long COVID Might Be Affecting Your Fertility

Disclaimer: Medically approved by Dr N Sapna Lulla, Lead Consultant - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore