COVID-19, quarantine and sexual life: a cross-sectional online survey of Brazilian individuals / COVID-19, quarentena e vida sexual: uma pesquisa online transversal com brasileiros

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 outbreak was responsible for a high number of deaths worldwide. Not only the physical health was affected by COVID-19. Thus, to avoid the infection spreading, social distancing and quarantine have been adopted, bringing rupture to previous habits, economic losses, and isolation. OBJECTIVE: To study the sexual life during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazilian individuals. METHODS: This crosssectional study using an internet survey was conducted from June 10th to July 30th, 2020 with epidemiological questions, questions on fatigue and depression, and the sexual quotient scale (SQS). RESULTS: The survey was answered by 2,131 individuals 325 males, median age 25 years (IQR=22.0-33.5 years), range between 18 to 69 years and 1,806 females with median age 25 years (IQR=22-31 years), range between 18 to 67 years. In 49% of males and 29% of females (29%), there were no changes in sexual life. In 43.7% of females and 32.1% of males, some deterioration was observed while in 26.3% of females and 18.1% some improvement was noted. Despite this, 90.8% of males and 85% of females scored as having good sexual performance according to SQS. Sexual performance was negatively influenced by fatigue, state of mind in males and females; having a fixed partner and staying at home impaired male performance. CONCLUSION: Despite the pandemic, the studied sample showed good sexual performance in the studied period.