Undoubtedly, the current COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the quality of life for all people. Psychosocial problems including anxiety, depression, panic, as well as economic-financial distress due to unemployment and/or declining incomes have been faced by many people. Whereas, the psychosocial problems would in turn affect people’s sexual activity. A recent meta-analysis including 21 studies on totally 2,454 women and 3,765 men suggested that COVID-19 related restrictions were correlated with higher rates of sexual dysfunction and reduced sexual activity. Whereas, the change in sexual functioning was greater in women compared to men. In particular, fear of infection ranked the first among major factors influencing the participant’s sexual activity and functioning in the included studies, followed by anxiety and depression. While sexual activity plays a key role in physical and mental health, sex therapists and researchers should design and implement effective programs and interventions to alleviate the burden of sexual dysfunction due to psychosocial strain associated with COVID-19 pandemic.

References

1. Masoudi M, et al. BMC Public Health. 2022; 22: 189