Effect of Covid-2019 Infection on Main Sexual Function Domains in Iranian Patients

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Covid-2019 and sexual dysfunction.

A cross-sectional study included the affected coronavirus disease 2019 patients in outpatient and inpatient settings between July 2020 and December 2020. This study was used the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires to evaluate sexual function. Two different questionnaires were used for men(15 questions) and women (19 questions). Two similar forms were given to the affected patients; the first questionnaire related the sexual function status before the pandemic, and the second related to the sexual function changes after the Covid-2019 infection (at least one month after covid infection recovery).

The sexual desire significantly decreased in males (change from 12.58±2.15 to 10.75 ±2.81; P-value<0.001) and females (change from 14.75±3.01 to  12.67±3.62; P-value<0.001 ) patients after the Covid-2019 infection compared to the pre-covid period, respectively. The sexual function also significantly decreased in affected patients by Covid-2019 infection in males (from 63.91±10.22 to 54.06±12.43; P-value<0.001) and females (from77.4±15.09 to 61.54±16.18; P-value<0.001) patients after the Covid-2019 infection compared to the pre-covid period, respectively. Also, the mean score of sexual desire was lower in men, which means the decrease in sexual desires was more severe in men than women. Patients with more severe disease and a history of ICU admission had a more severe decrease in sexual function scores compared to the outpatient setting.

The sexual desire and sexual function scores significantly decreased in affected patients by Covid-2019 infection compared to the pre-covid period in males and females. The mean score of sexual desire was lower in men affected with Covid-2019 infection compared to the females. Patients with more severe disease and a history of ICU admission had a more severe decrease in sexual function scores compared to the outpatient setting.