The Impact of the COVID-19 Quarantine on Sexual Life in Italy

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to evaluate how individual and couple's sexuality had changed during the COVID-19 pandemic related quarantine. Methods A quantitative correlational research study was conducted, using a web-based survey. Results 1576 participants were involved: 1018 women (64.6%) and 558 men (35.4%). A significant decline in the mean wellbeing scores during the quarantine, compared to before, was reported. A positive correlation between the wellbeing scores and the number of sexual intercourse (SI) before and during the quarantine was found. The mean number of SI decreased significantly during the quarantine. The main reasons were: poor privacy (43.2%) and lack of psychological stimuli (40.9%). 1124 respondents (71.3%) did not report sexual desire (SD) reduction. A positive association between SD and SI during the quarantine was found. 61.2% did not report autoerotism reduction. In those who reported decreased masturbation activity, the main causes were poor privacy (46.4%) and lack of desire (34.7%). We found that men presented lower SD during the quarantine, than women ( p <0.01). Conclusion Potentially, the more time available might lead couples to reconnect at an intimate level and to improve their sexuality. However, the majority of quarantined participants experienced reduced number of SI per week, with poor household privacy and lack of psychological stimuli as cited causes, even as a majority did not report reduced autoeroticism.

An Online Questionnaire Survey on the Sexual Life and Sexual Function of Chinese Adult Men During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic

“…Several studies have focused on the changes in the frequency of sexual life during the epidemic, [13] , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 while the present study is firstly reported the relationship with the sexual function of men. The frequency of sexual life was significantly related to changes in erectile function and ejaculatory control ability, and subjects with a low frequency of sexual life had less partner time and less intimacy behavior with sexual partners.…”

“…The mechanisms of the impact or partners’ relationships by social distancing, as per the current reports, are mainly related to mental stress and frequency of sexual life. Because of social distancing and other measurements, people have worry about the uncertainty about the future, 13 , 38 and psychological problems including depression, anxiety, and frustration would be present. 13 , 39 The lack of privacy and the decrease in psychological stimuli would lead to decreased frequency of sexual life, [13] , 14 , 15 which significantly impact the partner relationships.…”

“…A few studies have reported decreased frequency of sexual life, decreased sexual satisfaction, and deteriorated partner relationships between sexual partners. [13] , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 Most studies were focused on women or a mixture of women and men, while the sexual function of men has not been investigated.…”

The Impact of Lockdown on Couples’ Sex Lives

“…Another Italian survey showed a decrease in the number of times sexual intercourse took place during quarantine, compared with before the period, in particular the surveyed people who had sexual intercourse more than twice a week (54.2 vs. 37.2%, p < 0.01) [ 30 ]. It was due to lack of privacy (43.2%) and lack of stimuli (40.9%) [ 30 ].…”

Sexual health (excluding reproductive health, intimate partner violence and gender-based violence) and COVID-19: a scoping review

“…Seventeen studies assessed sexual activity and desire during the pandemic among the general public. [95][96][97][98][99][100][101][102][103][104][105][106][107][108][109][110][111] Ten studies indicated that the pandemic had affected participants' sexual lives. 97-109 111 A Chinese cross-sectional observational quantitative study found that the number of sexual partners decreased during the pandemic.…”