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Effect of COVID-19-Induced Stress among Males on the Partner Relationship and Sexual Activity during COVID-19

Meshari A Alzahrani1, Mohammad Alkhamees1, Sulaiman Almutairi1

  • 1Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 23, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased stress levels in infected men, negatively impacting their sexual desire, frequency, and satisfaction. Severe stress correlated with poor sexual relationships, highlighting psychosexual health challenges during lockdown.

Area of Science:

  • Psychosexual Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Mental Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about its effects on male psychosexual health.
  • Previous reports suggest a potential impact on sexual well-being during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate stress severity in men during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To investigate the relationship between stress levels and partner relationships and sexual activity.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia from December 2020 to January 2021.
  • 497 male participants infected with COVID-19 completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21).
  • Statistical analysis included frequencies, percentages, and Chi-squared/Fisher’s exact tests (p ≤ 0.05 significance).

Main Results:

  • Over 40% of participants reported severe stress, and 26.4% reported moderate stress.
  • Significant percentages experienced decreased sexual desire (16.9%), sexual intercourse frequency (18.1%), and sexual satisfaction (15.3%).
  • Severe stress was significantly associated with a poor sexual relationship (p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures led to elevated stress levels in men.
  • Increased stress negatively affected various aspects of male psychosexual health, including sexual desire and satisfaction.

Keywords:
COVID-19partner relationshippsychosexual healthsexual relationshipstress

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