The Impact of Anosmia on Intimacy: A Linear Mixed-Effects Model Analysis of Sexual Wellbeing Following COVID-19

Arianna Miclet, Daniele Mollaioli, Marco Lauriola, Giacomo Ciocca, Andrea Sansone, Emmanuele A. Jannini and Erika Limoncin ()
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Arianna Miclet: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Daniele Mollaioli: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy
Marco Lauriola: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Giacomo Ciocca: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Andrea Sansone: Department of Systems Medicine, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Emmanuele A. Jannini: Department of Systems Medicine, University Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
Erika Limoncin: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-11

Abstract: Olfaction is thought to have a role in intimate relationships and sexuality, despite the major roles that other senses, like sight, might have for human beings. Moreover, one of the specific symptoms of the COVID-19 infection, a disease largely impacting human sexuality at various levels, has been the absence of smell. This study aimed to examine the impact of olfaction on partner selection and on different phases of sexual response. Moreover, we evaluated whether the absence of smell could influence aspects of sexual function, such as orgasmic intensity, by comparing subjects with and without COVID-19 olfactory dysfunction. A group of 259 participants has been initially enrolled through social media. Of the 138 sexually active subjects included in the final analysis, 61 (44.2%) reported olfactory dysfunction (anosmia group) and 77 (55.8%) did not (no-anosmia group). Perceived orgasmic intensity was evaluated retrospectively at two time points—during the COVID-19 infection and in the four weeks preceding the evaluation—using the male and female versions of the Orgasmometer. The results revealed a significant interaction between time and olfactory condition, indicating opposite recovery trajectories. Participants without anosmia showed a significant improvement in orgasmic intensity post-COVID-19 infection; in contrast, the anosmia group reported a significant decline over the same period. Although the presence of anosmia was not a direct predictor of orgasmic intensity per se , it critically determined the orgasmic intensity evolution over time. These findings suggest that, beyond its perceived importance, the actual absence of olfaction may have a specific and negative long-term impact on core components of the sexual experience, such as the intensity of orgasm.

Keywords: COVID-19; anosmia; sexual function; orgasm (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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