ABSTRACT
Objectives: Covid-19 is an infectious disease that has affected many countries, changing daily life. Italy was one of the first Countries suffering Covid-19 social distancing restrictions and isolation. In partnership with a global consortium, we organized a survey to better understand sexual functioning during coronavirus. This presentation will present preliminary findings focused on sex and sexuality in Italy. Methods: 342 participants were asked about sex life satisfaction in the three months prior to COVID-19 and the three months after COVID-19 measures. Satisfaction was categorized as very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, neutral, not very satisfied, or not at all satisfied. The primary outcomes focused on changes in sexual behaviors (frequency and satisfaction of sexual activity) and reported sexual problems prior to and during COVID-19 measures. Results: The age range of the participants varied from 19 to 79 years old. 226 of them (66%) were women and 116 (34%) men. 255 (74,5 %) of them reported to be heterosexual, 27 (7,9%) bisexual, 34 (10%) gay and the remaining sample (26, 7,6%) used other definitions for their sexual orientation. Between those who reported to have sexual problems (186 participants, 54,4% of the total sample), the most reported were diminshed/loss sexual desire (106, 57%), difficulty in reaching orgasm (43, 21,3%), diminished/loss sexual excitement (41, 22%), pain during sexual intercourse (33, 17,7%), increasing sexual desire (30, 16,1%), erection problems (28, 15,1%), difficulties in vaginal and/or anal penetration (21, 11,3%), premature ejaculation (15, 8,1%). The proportion of participants who were not very satisfied or not at all satisfied increased from 31.6% (103/342) prior to COVID-19 measures compared to 63.4% (206/342) during COVID-19 measures. Conclusions: According also to a recent reviews on available literature, different sexual problems have been reported during and after COVID-19 restriction. Our data will help clinicians to help patients to recover their sexual satisfaction after this period Conflicts of Interest: No conflict of interests exist for both the authors.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundShelter-in-place and related COVID-19 physical distancing measures may influence the risk of intimate partner violence (IPV). The current study aims to (1) describe perceived changes in IPV experienced during and prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, (2) identify social correlates of IPV.MethodsThe International Sexual Health and REproductive Health (I-SHARE) study collected data on sexual and reproductive health during the COVID-19 pandemic (10,717 respondents in 16 countries between July 26thand December 1st 2020). The sample comprises participants in 7 HICs, 5 UMICs, 2 LMICs, and 2 LICs: 6,643 (62.3%) participants identified as women, 3,650 (34.2%) as men, and 178 (1.7%) as another gender. The median age was 30 (IQR 24;39). Adults (≥18yrs) were recruited online (social media, panel, or population-representative). IPV was a primary outcome measured using an adapted six-item version of the WHO IPV scale. Mixed effects modelling was used to assess participants’ experience of IPV in the three months prior to, and during, the COVID-19 physical distancing measures;participants were also asked about informal and formal reporting of IPV.ResultsPreliminary analysis indicated that 1,864 (17.4%) of the 10,717 participants reported experiencing at least one form of IPV before the introduction of COVID-19 control measures;1,346 (12.6%) participants reported IPV during COVID-19 physical distancing measures. Among participants experiencing IPV when physical distancing measures were in place, 691 (37.1%) told either a friend, the police, social services or other organization. Participants with a reduction in household income during the COVID-19 measures (aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.29–1.69) and increased consumption of alcohol during COVID-19 (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.26–1.81) had higher odds of experiencing IPV.ConclusionIPV may have decreased during COVID-19 measures, but remained common overall. Structural interventions are necessary to mitigate the impact of IPV.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus is an infectious disease that has affected many countries, changing daily life. For many individuals, sexual activity has decreased, physical contact within couples has been reduced. Obviously, to maintain a safe sex life, it is essential to know how to avoid the virus transmission. Distance creates irritability, fear, anxiety, endangering sexual life: it is reasonable to have sex between cohabiting partners unless one or both are at risk of infection. Despite this, the pandemic allows us to think of new sexual intimacies mediated by sextoys and technology. Not all distant couples are willing to have sex online, and it is difficult for singles to engage in casual sexual relations, so after the pandemic there will be many couples who will have to remodel and many singles who will seek a partner. Using the Internet to maintain active sexual activity appeared to be an excellent alternative to diminish the distance between partners or to increase online knowledge. The most common advice for separated couples was to maintain constant digital contact to alleviate nostalgia and lack. This was the springboard to use sexting, meeting via webcam or making a hot call that make the couple more uninhibited. Using the webcam, also sometimes with the possibility to use sex toys, could create also the opportunity to enrich the future sexual repertoire. Practicing online sex with the stable partner far from home has helped some to keep their desire active and to satisfy it in order to be able to realize it once the pandemic has ended. The purpose of this narrative review of available evidence on sexuality during COVID-19 pandemics is to provide recommendations to help people facing their sexual life in this critical period. © 2020 Sexologies