The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Depression and Sexual Function: Are Pregnant Women Affected More Adversely?

Abstract

Objective To investigate depression and sexual function among pregnant and non-pregnant women throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A total of 188 women, 96 pregnant and 92 non-pregnant were included. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) were applied to the participants after obtaining sociodemographic data. Results The depression scores of pregnant and non-pregnant women were similar (p = 0.846). We found that the depression scores were significantly higher among the group of participants who have lower economic status (p = 0.046). Moreover, the depression score was significantly higher among women who lost their income during the pandemic (p = 0.027). The score on the ASEX was significantly higher, and sexual dysfunction was more prevalent among women who have lower levels of schooling and income (p < 0.05). Likewise, the ASEX scores were significantly higher (p = 0.019) among the group who experienced greater income loss throughout the pandemic. Upon comparing the pregnant and non-pregnant groups, we detected that sexual dysfunction had a significantly higher rate among pregnant women (p < 0.001). Conclusion In times of global crisis, such as the current pandemic, low-income families have an increased risk of experiencing depression and sexual dysfunction. When we compared pregnant women with non-pregnant women, depression scores were similar, but pregnant women were at a 6.2 times higher risk of developing sexual dysfunction.

Fear and anxiety related to COVID-19 pandemic may predispose to perinatal depression in Italy

“…While, in the few studies conducted to assess the Italian prevalence of perinatal depression, a highly variable prevalence was observed ranging from 1.6 to 26.6%, even though all of these studies were carried out before the COVID-19 pandemic indeed ( 42 , 56 – 58 , 64 ). Our findings are in line with previous published (both international and Italian) studies carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic which reported significantly higher depression rates in pregnant women than studies conducted before the pandemic, with a prevalence ranging from 30 to 43% ( 16 , 18 , 29 , 31 , 53 , 65 – 71 ).…”

“…Moreover, within this framework, experiencing stressful and subjectively perceived traumatic events, during the perinatal period, may predispose women to the onset of de novo psychopathological manifestations, also in not predisposed pregnant and puerperal women ( 26 ). Therefore, one could argue that the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictive measurements may have more likely represented a stressful and cumulative traumatic variable which might have modified the psychopathological trajectory in pregnancy and postpartum period, as already reported in the general population ( 27 , 28 ) and in samples constituted by pregnant and postpartum women ( 18 , 29 – 31 ). In fact, the gradual shaping in health care access and services due to the lockdown and restrictive regulations imposed by governments, including limitations in the access to gynecological, obstetrician and perinatal care and the restricted (or interrupted) possibility for partner and/or family member(s) of pregnant and puerperal women to assist them during pregnancy follow-ups, the delivery and postpartum period, significantly determined a psychological distress, an increased uncertainty and indeed fueled feelings of fears, anxiety and worries among pregnant and postpartum women ( 32 – 34 ).…”

Impactos da COVID-19 na gravidez: uma revisão integrativa

“…Sobre o estado psicológico, a pandemia do novo coronavírus teve impacto significativo para o aumento da prevalência de depressão em gestantes, destacando preocupações, que somadas a variação hormonal experimentada por elas, podem resultar em riscos para a continuidade da gravidez (Castro, et al, 2020). No trabalho estabelecido por Denizli et al (2021), 42,7% das gestantes (n=41) apresentaram sintomas leves de depressão ao longo da pandemia, enquanto 21% (n=20) apresentaram sintomas de depressão moderadamente graves. No período gestacional, as alterações fisiológicas e hormonais são comuns e esperadas, o aumento progressivo de concentrações de hormônios esteroides, como estrogênios e progesterona geram mudanças em todo o corpo da gestante, gerando angústias, medos, preocupações, dúvidas e ademais sentimentos.…”

O impacto da pandemia de COVID-19 na sexualidade feminina: uma revisão integrativa

“…Grávidas e puérperas evidenciaram que o período de isolamento e pandemia também afetaram a sua sexualidade e resultaram em mais sintomas de depressão pós parto. Em um dos estudos foi utilizada a Escala de Experiência Sexual do Arizona (ASEX), e identificou-se uma taxa de disfunção sexual de 83,3% entre as gestantes e 75% entre as não gestantes (Denizli et al, 2021). Esses altos índices foram resultados do confinamento social, perda de confiança, prejuízo à qualidade de sono/insônia, perda ou ganho de peso, fadiga e demais aspectos da maternidade.…”