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Exploring the adult sexual wellbeing and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed

  • ️Sat Jan 01 2022

Exploring the adult sexual wellbeing and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review and meta-analysis

Iraklis Mourikis et al. Front Psychiatry. 2022.

Abstract

Implemented social distancing measures may have forestalled the spread of COVID-19, yet they suppressed the natural human need for contact. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adult sexual wellbeing and sexual behavior. An extensive search in Pubmed, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases based on PRISMA guidelines was conducted. After applying specific eligibility criteria, screening resulted in 38 studies. Results were drawn from 31,911 subjects and outlined the negative effect of the pandemic in sexual frequency, function, satisfaction, and the behavioral changes regarding masturbation and internet-based practices. Meta-analyses of the drawn data on 1,343 female, and 1,372 male subjects quantified the degree of sexual function change during the COVID-19 pandemic vs. prior the pandemic. A random effects model revealed the significant negative impact of the pandemic on female sexual function (SMD: 0.76, 95% CI:0.74 to 1.59), while no significant change was found for the males (SMD: 0.25, 95% Cl: -0.03 to 0.52). Significant heterogeneity was identified across included studies (p < 0.00001, I2 = 97%, I2 = 90% for females and males, respectively). As part of the global health, sexual wellbeing should be on the focus of clinicians and researchers.

Keywords: COVID-19 restrictions; pandemic outcomes; sexual behavior; sexual frequency; sexual function; sexual satisfaction.

Copyright © 2022 Mourikis, Kokka, Koumantarou-Malisiova, Kontoangelos, Konstantakopoulos and Papageorgiou.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1

Flow diagram of the study selection of the included studies in the systematic review.

FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2

Forest plot presenting the meta-analysis based on SMDs for the effect of the pandemic on female sexual function.

FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3

Forest plot presenting the meta-analysis based on SMDs for the effect of the pandemic on male sexual function.

FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4

Funnel plots for the examination of publication bias for the females.

FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5

Funnel plots for the examination of publication bias for the males.

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