Mental and Sexual Health of Men in Times of COVID-19 Lockdown

Ewa Szuster, Anna Pawlikowska-Gorzelańczyk (), Paulina Kostrzewska, Amanda Mandera-Grygierzec, Agnieszka Rusiecka, Małgorzata Biernikiewicz, Kinga Brawańska, Małgorzata Sobieszczańska, Krystyna Rożek-Piechura and Dariusz Kałka
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Ewa Szuster: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Anna Pawlikowska-Gorzelańczyk: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Paulina Kostrzewska: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Amanda Mandera-Grygierzec: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Agnieszka Rusiecka: Statistical Analysis Centre, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
Małgorzata Biernikiewicz: Studio Słowa, 50-357 Wroclaw, Poland
Kinga Brawańska: Cardiosexology Students Club, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland
Małgorzata Sobieszczańska: Clinical Department of Geriatrics, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-369 Wroclaw, Poland
Krystyna Rożek-Piechura: Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Dariusz Kałka: Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-9

Abstract: Due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19, some restrictions were introduced which could lead to the development of distress and somatic symptoms. This survey aimed to study the mental and sexual health of men during the COVID-19 outbreak. An online questionnaire was conducted to collect data on contact with people suspected of infection/infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, use of stimulants, and perceived mental and sexual health during isolation among Polish men. They were also asked to answer the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) questionnaire. In total, 606 men with a mean age of 28.46 ± 9.17 years took part in the survey. Fear of contracting the COVID-19 infection had a negative impact on the mental health of 132 men (21.8%). Fear of the health condition of loved ones caused stress and a depressed mood in 253 men (41.7%), and media reports worsened the mental health of 185 men (30.2%). In the BDI, 71.95% of the respondents did not suffer from depressive symptoms, 17.33% were diagnosed with mild depression, 6.11% with moderate depression, and 4.62% had severe depression. The mean score in the IIEF-15 questionnaire in the erectile function domain was 22.27, orgasm—7.63, desire—8.25, satisfaction—10.17, and general satisfaction—6.84. Depressive symptoms indicated more severe sexual functioning disorders ( p < 0.001). Fear, following the media, and loneliness were associated with more severe depressive and sexual disorders ( p < 0.001). The libido level ( p = 0.002) and frequency of sexual activity ( p < 0.001) were also lower during the pandemic than before the lockdown. These data showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on male mental and sexual health.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; mental health; sexual functioning; erectile dysfunction; men’s health; Polish population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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