Sexuality in women recovered from COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction While several studies have assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexuality and sexual behavior in the general population, very few studies have assessed sexuality after Sars-Cov 2 infection. Objectives The objective of our study were to assess sexuality in women recovered from COVID-19 and to compare it to healthy controls. Methods This is a cross-sectional case-control study. We randomly recruited women, from April 1st to 30th, 2021.The women in the case group have been infected with Sars-Cov 2, with a benign or pauci-symptomatic clinical form, and cured for one to two months at the time of the study without any post-COVID complications. Women included in the control group have not been infected with Sars-Cov 2. Sexuality was assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results In total, we recruited 30 women in the case group and 30 women in the control group.The average age of the case group was 35.8 ±6.8 years versus an average age of 35.3 ± 6.33 years in the control group. The majority of coronavirus infections were symptomatic (83.3% (n=25)). An FSFI score <26.55 and corresponding to impaired sexual function was found in 63.33% of women in the case group (n=19), versus 53.33% of women in the control group (n=16) with a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.009) Conclusions COVID-19 is significantly associated with sexual dysfunction, even in mild or pauci-symptomatic clinical forms. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Keywords

• sexuality
• recovered
• Covid-19
• women