Female Sexual Function During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Hriday P. Bhambhvani, BS; Tony Chen, MD; Alex M. Kasman, MD; Genester Wilson-King, MD; Ekene Enemchukwu, MD, MPH; Michael L. Eisenberg, MD

Sexual Medicine (Aug 2021)

Female Sexual Function During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Hriday P. Bhambhvani, BS,
Tony Chen, MD,
Alex M. Kasman, MD,
Genester Wilson-King, MD,
Ekene Enemchukwu, MD, MPH,
Michael L. Eisenberg, MD

Affiliations

Hriday P. Bhambhvani, BS: Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA; Corresponding Author: Hriday P. Bhambhvani, BS, Department of Urology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA, Tel: (650) 723-3391, Fax: (650) 498-5346.
Tony Chen, MD: Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
Alex M. Kasman, MD: Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
Genester Wilson-King, MD: Founder, Medical Director, Victory Rejuvenation Center, Lake Mary, FL, USA
Ekene Enemchukwu, MD, MPH: Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
Michael L. Eisenberg, MD: Department of Urology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 4
p. 100355

Abstract

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ABSTRACT: Introduction: International studies have demonstrated increasing rates of sexual dysfunction amidst the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, the impact of the pandemic on female sexual function in the United States is unknown. Aim: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on female sexual function and frequency in the United States. Methods: A pre-pandemic survey containing the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and demographic questions was completed by adult women in the United States from October 20, 2019 and March 1, 2020. The same women were sent a follow-up survey also containing the FSFI, as well as the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression and Anxiety with 4 items (PHQ-4), and questions pertaining to mask wearing habits, job loss, and relationship changes. Risk for female sexual dysfunction (RFSD) was defined as FSFI < 26.55. Main Outcome Measure: Differences in pre-pandemic and intra-pandemic female sexual function, measured by the FSFI, and sexual frequency. Results: Ninety-one women were included in this study. Overall FSFI significantly decreased during the pandemic (27.2 vs 28.8, P = .002), with domain-specific decreases in arousal (4.41 vs 4.86, P = .0002), lubrication (4.90 vs 5.22, P = .004), and satisfaction (4.40 vs 4.70, P = .04). There was no change in sexual frequency. Contingency table analysis of RFSD prior to and during the pandemic revealed significantly increased RFSD during the pandemic (P = .002). Women who developed RFSD during the pandemic had higher PHQ-4 anxiety subscale scores (3.74 vs 2.53, P = .01) and depression subscale scores (2.74 vs 1.43, P = .001) than those who did not. Development of FSD was not associated with age, home region, relationship status, mask wearing habits, knowing someone who tested positive for COVID-19, relationship change, or job loss and/or reduction during the pandemic. Conclusion: In this population of female cannabis users, risk for sexual dysfunction increased amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and is associated with depression and anxiety symptoms. Bhambhvani HP, Chen T, Wilson-King AM, et al. Female Sexual Function During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States. Sex Med 2021;9:100355.

Published in Sexual Medicine

ISSN: 2050-1161 (Online)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: https://academic.oup.com/smoa

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