The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Female Sexual Function

Anna Fuchs, Mateusz Szul, Agnieszka Dulska, Jakub Bodziony, Aleksandra Matonóg, Joanna Pilarska, Paulina Sieradzka, Rafał Stojko and Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop
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Anna Fuchs: Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-211 Katowice, Poland
Mateusz Szul: Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-211 Katowice, Poland
Agnieszka Dulska: Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-211 Katowice, Poland
Jakub Bodziony: Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-211 Katowice, Poland
Aleksandra Matonóg: Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-211 Katowice, Poland
Joanna Pilarska: Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-211 Katowice, Poland
Paulina Sieradzka: Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-211 Katowice, Poland
Rafał Stojko: Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-211 Katowice, Poland
Agnieszka Drosdzol-Cop: Chair and Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, 40-211 Katowice, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-9

Abstract: Introduction: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspects of life involving sexual functioning. Methods: This prospective, noninterventional, observational research was performed from July 2020 to August 2020, involving a total of 644 patients. Female sexual function index (FSFI) scores of those women were compared in relation to results of our research from April 2020. Questionnaires were collected concerning socio-demographic characteristics of patients as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives. Results: Every domain significantly decreased in the first month of the lockdown. Before the pandemic, the total FSFI was reported at 30.1 ± 4.4, while in the first month of the pandemic it was at 25.8 ± 9.7 ( p < 0.001). The lowest FSFI score was reported by women who lived in average conditions. There was a statistically significant increase in the overall FSFI score in the fifth month of the pandemic (27.5 ± 6.8) when compared to the FSFI score in the first month of the pandemic (25.8 ± 9.7). The scores in arousal, lubrication, orgasm and pain were reported as higher (respectively p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05), while desire was reported lower ( p < 0.001). The satisfaction score remained almost the same ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our study indicates a significant decrease in FSFI scores across all domains. There are still many questions whether the statue from the vaccinated person or convalescents affects the sense of security and, thus, increases sexual satisfaction.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 pandemic; sexuality; sexual dysfunction; female sexual function (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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