Challenges in the Practice of Sexual Medicine in the Time of COVID-19 in Portugal

Carvalho, Joana; Pascoal, Patrícia M.

doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2020.05.024

Cited by 22 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Chief entities such as the World Association for Sexual Health have defined a series of resolutions aimed at ensuring human sexual rights during COVID-19 20 . Gender gap and gender violence towards women and sexual minorities are expected to be maximized by the current state of pandemic 10 . The detrimental effects for women's sexual and reproductive health are particularly worrisome 8 .…”

Section: J O U R N a L P R E -P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 9 Indeed, such measures are expected to negatively impact sexual and interpersonal relationships or even prompt intimate partner (sexual) violence and risky sexual behaviors, as all of these areas are strongly rooted in individuals’ emotional adjustment. 10 In line with these assumptions, initial data from Han Chinese citizens revealed that 25% of respondents reported a decrease in sexual desire, 44% reported a reduction in sexual partners, and 37% reported to have decreased sexual frequency. 11 Furthermore, 32% of men and 39% of women reported decreased sexual satisfaction, and most participants with a history of risky sex actually decreased risky behavior.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Such discrepancy suggests the need of a gendered approach to studying and intervening in sexual health in the context of Within the sphere of human sexuality, recent attempts have been made in order to establish the impact of COVID-19 and physical isolation measures in sexual health 9 . Indeed, such measures are expected to negatively impact sexual and interpersonal relationships, or even prompt intimate partner (sexual)violence and risky sexual behaviors, as all of these areas are strongly rooted in individuals' emotional adjustment 10 . In line with these assumptions, initial data from Han Chinese citizens revealed that 25% of respondents reported a decrease in sexual desire, 44% reported a reduction in sexual partners, and 37%…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…20 Gender gap and gender violence toward women and sexual minorities are expected to be maximized by the current state of the pandemic. 10 The detrimental effects on women’s sexual and reproductive health are particularly worrisome. 8 An intersectional approach to COVID-19’s impact reveals disparities in power, exposing decades of health and social inequalities, and revealing that those who belong to poorer and conflict zones may be unable to protect themselves from the virus, and their access to sexual and reproductive health may be unwarranted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…theme. Indeed, given social isolation, individuals are expected to consume more pornography or increase sexual outlets as means to cope with dysfunctional mood states10 .Clinicians' perspectives on the effects of COVID-19 in sexual health are in line with current assumptions supporting that sexual compulsivity-like conditions may be aggravated byJ o u r n a l P r e -p r o o fCovid-19 and sexual health increased consumption of pornography and dating apps during the context of social isolation33,34 . Additionally, clinicians' appraisals of the overlapping between mental health issues and sexual problems stress the need to consider sexual complaints as part of the large spectrum of psychopathology conditions.…”

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confidence: 99%

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Health: A Preliminary Framework Based on a Qualitative Study With Clinical Sexologists

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Introduction In recent months, some attempts were made to understand the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health. Despite recent research that suggests COVID-19 and lockdown measures may eventually impact sexual response and sexually related behaviors, we are missing clinical sexologists’ perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 in sexual health. Such perspectives could inform a preliminary framework aimed at guiding future research and clinical approaches in the context of COVID-19. Aim To explore the perspectives of clinical sexologists about the impact of COVID-19 on their patients’ sexual health, as well as the professional challenges they have faced during the current pandemic. Findings are expected to inform a preliminary framework aimed at understanding the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health. Methods We conducted an online qualitative exploratory survey with 4 open-ended questions with 39 clinical sexologists aged between 32 and 73 years old. The survey was advertised among professional associations’ newsletters. We performed a Thematic Analysis using an inductive, semantic, and (critical) realist approach, leading to a final thematic map. Main Outcome Measures The outcome is the thematic map and the corresponding table that aggregates the main themes, subthemes, and codes derived from participants’ answers and that can serve as a preliminary framework to understand the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health. Results The final thematic map, expected to serve as a preliminary framework on the impact of COVID-19 in sexual health, revealed 3 main themes: Clinical Focus, Remapping Relationships, and Reframing Technology Use. These themes aggregate important interrelated issues, such as worsening of sexual problems and dysfunctions, mental health, relationship management, the rise of conservatism, and the use of new technology that influences sexuality and sexual health-related services. Conclusion The current study allowed us to develop a preliminary framework to understand the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health. This framework highlights the role of mental health, as well as the contextual nature of sexual problems, and subsequently, their relational nature. Also, it demonstrates that the current pandemic has brought into light the debate of e-Health delivery within clinical sexology.

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Section: J O U R N a L P R E -P R O O Fmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Health: A Preliminary Framework Based on a Qualitative Study With Clinical Sexologists

et al. 2020

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Sexual Health and the Pandemic Crisis: Testing the Role of Psychological Vulnerability/Protective Factors on Sexual Functioning and Sexual Distress During a Critical Life Period in Portugal

et al. 2022

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Recent findings suggest that the current COVID-19 pandemic has a potential negative impact in several areas of life, including sexual health. However, less is known about the psychological dimensions that may work as vulnerability/protective factors for the development of sexual problems in the current pandemic. The current study used a longitudinal design to examine the role played by personality trait factors (neuroticism, extraversion) as well as psychosexual factors (sexual beliefs) in predicting sexual functioning and sexual distress across time during the current pandemic crisis. A total of 528 individuals (337 women) completed a web survey assessing sexual health indicators and psychological factors. The first wave was conducted during the confinement period in Portugal (N = 528) between May and June 2020 and the second four months later (N = 146), when strict confinement rules were over. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to examine the ability of psychological factors to predict sexual functioning and distress across time, while controlling for age and gender. Results indicated that sexual distress at time point 2 was lower than during confinement, and men had lower levels of sexual functioning post-confinement while no significant difference was observed for women. Moreover, higher levels of neuroticism and age-related beliefs significantly predicted lower sexual functioning as well as higher sexual distress, whereas lower levels of extraversion predicted lower sexual functioning after controlling for age and gender effects. Findings support the role of psychological vulnerability factors to predict sexual problems across time and may have important implications in the prevention and treatment of sexual dysfunctions.

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Perceived Changes in Sexual Interest and Distress About Discrepant Sexual Interest During the First Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Assessment in Cohabiting Partnered Individuals

et al. 2022

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Due to COVID-19 pandemic, different restrictive measures in terms of physical distancing and lockdowns have been introduced in most European countries, affecting all facets of social life. Currently, little is known about how partnered individuals perceive changes in their sexual life during this complex emergency. This study explored retrospectively assessed changes in sexual interest for one’s partner and levels of distress related to perceived sexual interest discrepancy during the first phase of the pandemic in a large-scale online sample of partnered individuals ( n = 4813; M age = 38.5 years, SD = 10.74) recruited between May and July 2020 in seven European Union countries and Turkey. We also examined the possible role of approach/avoidance motives for sex in reported changes in sexual interest and associated distress. Most participants (53%) reported no change in their sexual interest during the pandemic, followed by those who reported an increase (28.5%). The pattern was similar across the eight countries. Distress about discrepant sexual interest, which was only weakly related to changes in sexual interest, was significantly associated with relationship quality and emotional closeness with a partner, coping with and worrying about the pandemic, and specific motivation for sex. In contrast to avoidant and relationship-focused approach motivation, ego-focused approach motivation was related to stable sexual interest during the pandemic. The current study contributes to the understanding of the link between sexual interest and complex emergencies. Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the reported experiences and perceptions are prone to change.

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Challenges in the Practice of Sexual Medicine in the Time of COVID-19 in Portugal

Cited by 22 publications

References 20 publications

The Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Health: A Preliminary Framework Based on a Qualitative Study With Clinical Sexologists

The Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Health: A Preliminary Framework Based on a Qualitative Study With Clinical Sexologists

Sexual Health and the Pandemic Crisis: Testing the Role of Psychological Vulnerability/Protective Factors on Sexual Functioning and Sexual Distress During a Critical Life Period in Portugal

Perceived Changes in Sexual Interest and Distress About Discrepant Sexual Interest During the First Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Assessment in Cohabiting Partnered Individuals

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