Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sexual behavior of the population. The vision of the east and the west

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has radically changed the way of life around the World. The state of alarm has forced the population to stay at home, radically changing both interpersonal and partner relationships; work at home, social distancing, the continued presence of children at home, fear of infection and not being able to physically meet with others have changed most people's sexual habits. We conducted a review by exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual behavior in the population from three different countries: Iran, Italy and Spain from each country's perspective. The impact of the coronavirus will be very important in the sexual life of the people and we will attend in the next months or years, to some changes in the relationships at all the levels. The pandemic will negatively affect sexual behaviors due to multiple contact restrictions. In the future, we will be able to assess these effects in more detail.

Changes in Sex Life among People in Taiwan during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Roles of Risk Perception, General Anxiety, and Demographic Characteristics

“…Governments of many countries ordered to close down gathering spaces and promote social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Not being able to physically meet with others may change people's sexual habits [14]. A social atmosphere of collective anxiety about the COVID-19 pandemic may also result in detriment of the mood to enjoy sex.…”

“…Leung et al reported that people with higher risk perceptions of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) were more likely to take comprehensive precautionary measures against infection [19]. The fear of contagion itself may reduce physical contact within couples, from simple kissing to full sexual intercourse [14]. If the risk perception is excessive, particularly when a person is overwhelmed with negative SARS-related information, it will lead to irrational fear [20].…”

Sexual Behavior During the Times of COVID-19-Related Lockdown in India: Results From an Online Survey

“…11 Lockdown changed various factors that can affect sexual behavior, such as increase time available to partners, lack of privacy because of higher number of inmates at home, and stress arising out of economic shutdown and sudden change in interpersonal dynamics. 12 The major limitations of our study were the use of a convenient sampling, use of English media, using a cross-sectional design, and loss of sizable data because of incomplete responses (which could be because of sensitive nature of questions). Also, our study focused on the sexual behavior.…”

Covid-19 and sexual function of women. A review

“…Пандемия COVID-19 коренным образом изменила образ жизни во всем мире. Состояние тревоги заставило население оставаться дома, радикально изменив как межличностные, так и партнерские отношения; работа дома, социальное дистанцирование, постоянное присутствие детей дома, страх перед инфекцией и невозможность физически встречаться с другими людьми изменили сексуальные привычки большинства людей [19].…”