Exploring the adult sexual wellbeing and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Implemented social distancing measures may have forestalled the spread of COVID-19, yet they suppressed the natural human need for contact. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adult sexual wellbeing and sexual behavior. An extensive search in Pubmed, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases based on PRISMA guidelines was conducted. After applying specific eligibility criteria, screening resulted in 38 studies. Results were drawn from 31,911 subjects and outlined the negative effect of the pandemic in sexual frequency, function, satisfaction, and the behavioral changes regarding masturbation and internet-based practices. Meta-analyses of the drawn data on 1,343 female, and 1,372 male subjects quantified the degree of sexual function change during the COVID-19 pandemic vs. prior the pandemic. A random effects model revealed the significant negative impact of the pandemic on female sexual function (SMD: 0.76, 95% CI:0.74 to 1.59), while no significant change was found for the males (SMD: 0.25, 95% Cl: −0.03 to 0.52). Significant heterogeneity was identified across included studies (p < 0.00001, I2 = 97%, I2 = 90% for females and males, respectively). As part of the global health, sexual wellbeing should be on the focus of clinicians and researchers.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and HTLV I-II in a Blood Bank in Medellín, Colombia, 2019–2022

“…Some authors have explained these findings with changes in sexual behavior as a result of COVID-19 and periods of confinement, which could have interrupted the transmission of the virus. A meta-analysis showed a significant decrease in the number of sexual interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic; up to 60% of participants without sexual relationships, and a decrease in the frequency of sexual activity up to 53% [ 30 ]. This evidence would suggest a similar behavior for HIV, but this trend did not occur in this population, so the hypothesis of underreporting of HBV would be stronger, due to the previously mentioned factors, and by taking into account that the data in the selective isolation and new normality group tend to equal the pre-pandemic cases.…”

Changes in Sexual Behaviors with Opposite-Sex Partners and Sexually Transmitted Infection Outcomes Among Females and Males Ages 15–44 Years in the USA: National Survey of Family Growth, 2008–2019

“…We were also unable to examine trends in age mixing because partner age was not available in the public dataset after 2015 or in mixing by sexual activity, which was not assessed, despite their importance to STI transmission (Easterly et al, 2018 ; Newman, 2002 ; Rao et al, 2021 ). More generally, the way partners connect has been changing rapidly (Anderson et al, 2020 ; Rosenfeld et al, 2019 ), which could have significant implications for the sexual network’s structure and epidemic potential, and these data were collected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted sexual behaviors, networks, and STI screening (Masoudi et al, 2022 ; Mourikis et al, 2022 ). Finally, we made multiple comparisons and may have observed some significant differences due to chance.…”

Sexual expression and the COVID-19 pandemic. The future of sexual intimacy after the COVID-19 pandemic

“…As a result, self-gratification through masturbation increased for both single individuals as well as for stable, cohabiting partners. 7 On the other hand, the newly formed living conditions served as a "vehicle' in an attempt to search for new paths towards pleasure. People, as in every past crisis, needed to "reinvent" themselves in order to adapt.…”

“…Ο φόβος και το άγχος που προκλήθηκαν από τη διαρκή απειλή ζωής, αποστέρησαν την ικανότητα άντλησης ικανοποίησης από τη δυαδικότητα, στρέφοντας τη σεξουαλική έκφραση σε ένα ασφαλέστερο «εαυτισμό»· η αυτοϊκανοποίηση αυξήθηκε τόσο ανάμεσα σε μοναχικά άτομα όσο και σε άτομα σε σταθερές σχέσεις συγκατοίκησης. 7 Από την άλλη, οι νέες συνθήκες διαβίωσης το «όχημα» στην αναζήτηση νέων δρόμων που θα οδηγούσαν στην απόλαυση. Οι άνθρωποι, όπως σε κάθε κρίση του παρελθόντος, χρειάστηκε να «επανεφεύρουν» τους εαυτούς τους για να προσαρμοστούν.…”