Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Sexual Function of Health Professionals From an Epicenter in Brazil

Neto, Rubens Pedrenho; Nascimento, Bruno; Silva, Gabriel Carvalho dos Anjos; Barbosa, João Arthur Brunhara Alves; Júnior, José de Bessa; Teixeira, Thiago Afonso; Srougi, Miguel; Nahas, William Carlos; Hallak, Jaime Eduardo Cecílio; Cury, José

doi:10.1016/j.esxm.2021.100408

Cited by 7 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The present study found that single people experience lower levels of sexual satisfaction than those who live in a relationship with a partner. The results of this study is consistent with other studies [17,26,33,34,36,42,46], which were performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. A greater decline in sexual satisfaction was found in people who did not at the time live with their partners [17,33] than in people living as a couple.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The results of this study is consistent with other studies [17,26,33,34,36,42,46], which were performed during the COVID-19 pandemic. A greater decline in sexual satisfaction was found in people who did not at the time live with their partners [17,33] than in people living as a couple. Besides relationship status (i.e., being single), poor couple relationship quality [19,41,57] and partnership conflicts [28,46] also contributed to a weakening in sexual behavior and worsening satisfaction during the pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Research on changes in sexual behavior during the pandemic indicated ambiguous results. Decrease in frequency of sexual activity and casual sex, or increased risk of sexual dysfunction, masturbation and pornography use, were reported in adults from Brasil [17], Canada [18], China [19][20][21][22][23], Egypt [24], France [25], Germany [26][27][28], Indonesia [29], Italy [30], Poland [31,32], Singapore [33], United Kingdom (UK) [34], and United States of America (USA) [35,36]. A decrease in sexual satisfaction was reported during the pandemic (when compared to pre-pandemic time) among healthcare professionals from Brasil [17], adults from Egypt [24], France [25], Germany [28], Kenya [37], and Singapore [33]; among patients with infertility from China [19]; and among women from Poland [31], Italy [30], and the USA [35].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Decrease in frequency of sexual activity and casual sex, or increased risk of sexual dysfunction, masturbation and pornography use, were reported in adults from Brasil [17], Canada [18], China [19][20][21][22][23], Egypt [24], France [25], Germany [26][27][28], Indonesia [29], Italy [30], Poland [31,32], Singapore [33], United Kingdom (UK) [34], and United States of America (USA) [35,36]. A decrease in sexual satisfaction was reported during the pandemic (when compared to pre-pandemic time) among healthcare professionals from Brasil [17], adults from Egypt [24], France [25], Germany [28], Kenya [37], and Singapore [33]; among patients with infertility from China [19]; and among women from Poland [31], Italy [30], and the USA [35]. By contrast, in comparison to the period before the pandemic, the frequency of sexual activity increased during the lockdown in Bangladesh, India, Nepal [38], China [39], Singapore [40], in seven countries of the European Union (the Czech Republic, Croatia, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, France and Sweden) and Turkey [41], in a nationwide sample of men from Germany [42], and in a large convenience sample of men from the United States of America [43].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

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Is There a Direct Link between Sexual Satisfaction and Restrictions during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Rogowska

Wójcik²,

Janik

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Research suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions decreased sexual function and satisfaction. The present study examines the direct relationship between sexual satisfaction and restrictions during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Poland between 3 September 2020 and 18 January 2021. A convenience sample of 1364 adults, aged 18–67 (M = 25.13, SD = 6.45), among whom 62.39% were women, and 23.17% were single, completed anonymous web-based survey. The Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ) and Stringency Index (IS) were used to assess sexual satisfaction and the level of restrictions during the pandemic, respectively. Results: No direct association was found between sexual satisfaction and the level of restrictions during the lockdown. Sexual satisfaction was significantly worse among single participants than those living in a couple. No gender differences were found in sexual satisfaction. Conclusions: Future studies should examine an indirect association between sexual satisfaction and restrictions during the pandemic via stress and anxiety. Single relationship status should be considered a risk factor for sexual satisfaction, so single individuals should be a target group for prevention programs during the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Is There a Direct Link between Sexual Satisfaction and Restrictions during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Rogowska

Wójcik²,

Janik

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Endocrine, genetic, physiological, and psychological factors as well as social and lifestyle habits, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, influence human fertility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, several additional factors may affect fertility, including: (1) the biological effects of a COVID-19 infection on gonads; (2) the effects of COVID-19 on mental health; (3) the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual behaviour (▶Fig. 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Infections in Gonads: Consequences on Fertility?

et al. 2022

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COVID-19 may influence human fertility and sexuality in several ways. Different cell types in gonads show a constitutive expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), which provide potential entry pathways for SARS-CoV-2. In addition to the biological effects of a COVID-19 infection on the gonads, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on mental health issues and sexual behavior may affect reproduction. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the influence of COVID-19 on the gonads and discusses possible consequences on human fertility. In this context, the close interaction between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in response to COVID-19-related stress is discussed. Some women noticed changes in their menstrual cycle during the COVID-19 pandemic, which could be due to psychological stress, for example. In addition, occasional cases of reduced oocyte quality and ovarian function are described after COVID-19 infection. In men, COVID-19 may cause a short-term decrease in fertility by damaging testicular tissue and/or impairing spermatogenesis. Moreover, decreased ratio testosterone/LH and FSH/LH in COVID-19 compared to aged-matched healthy men has been reported. Available data do not suggest any effect of the available SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on fertility. The effects of long COVID on human fertility have been reported and include cases with premature ovarian failure and oligomenorrhoea in women and erectile dysfunction in men. Despite the increasing knowledge about the effects of COVID-19 infections on human gonads and fertility, the long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot yet be assessed in this context.

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Sexual Health During COVID-19: A Scoping Review

Toldam

Graugaard

Meyer

et al. 2022

Sexual Medicine Reviews

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Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic impacted profoundly on the wellbeing and social interactions of the world population, and all dimensions of sexual health were potentially affected by globally implemented preventive measures. Objectives The scoping review aimed to compile existing research investigating possible effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on adult sexual health, that is, sexual behavior, functioning, and satisfaction. Further, studies on the interplay between mental health and sexual well-being during the pandemic were reviewed. Methods The review was conducted in accordance with guidelines established by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist. On October 11–12, 2021, PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, Cinahl, Cochrane, Sociological Abstracts and Scopus were systematically searched for relevant peer-reviewed papers employing quantitative methodology. Additionally, unpublished (“grey”) research studies on the subject were retrieved. The screening, data extraction, and analysis of evidence were conducted by 4 independent reviewers using an iterative approach. Results Based on 107 studies included, the scoping review showed that the pandemic had had a wide impact on all dimensions of sexual health. Except for solo sex activities, mainly negative COVID-19 implications were identified, although findings were, in sum, characterized by complexity and unpredictability. Thus, sexual behavior, functioning, and satisfaction during the pandemic appeared to be mitigated by a broad range of sociodemographic and contextual factors. Finally, sexual health seemed deeply entwined with overall mental health. Conclusion The scoping review revealed a broad range of COVID-19-related effects on sexual health, including an overall decline in partnered sex and a concurrent increase in solo sex activities. It also emphasized a need for future research to shed light on possible long-term consequences of the pandemic in various population groups and on all aspects of sexual health.

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Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Sexual Function of Health Professionals From an Epicenter in Brazil

Cited by 7 publications

References 36 publications

Is There a Direct Link between Sexual Satisfaction and Restrictions during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Is There a Direct Link between Sexual Satisfaction and Restrictions during the Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

COVID-19 Infections in Gonads: Consequences on Fertility?

Sexual Health During COVID-19: A Scoping Review

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