Comparison of Women's Sexual Performance with and Without COVID-19 Infection: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is an infection that affects an individual's physiological and psychological aspects. There are few studies on the impact of COVID-19 on women's sexual function in Iran. Objectives: We aimed to compare the different aspects of sexual function in women with and without COVID-19 infection in Qaen city, South Khorasan, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 558 healthy and SARS-CoV-2-infected women of reproductive age in Qaen city. The sample size was estimated based on the Anna Fuchs study, with a 95% confidence level and a 90% test power. After random sampling, data were collected using demographic questionnaires, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS). Analysis was performed using SPSS 24 and the independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple linear regression. Results: The average age of the women was 35 years, and their weight was 64.7 kg. Most women (32.6%) had a bachelor's degree. The mean total sexual function score was 25.2. There was no significant difference in the total sexual function score between the affected and non-affected groups (P = 0.359). A significant difference was observed in the satisfaction dimension of sexual function between the two groups (P = 0.010). Multiple linear regression showed that depression (P < 0.001) and age (P = 0.001) were related to sexual function, but COVID-19 was not associated with it (P = 0.090). Adjusting for variables affecting dimensions of sexual function showed that COVID-19 was associated with the sexual desire dimension (P = 0.009) and was not related to other dimensions of sexual function. Women in this study experienced sexual dysfunction. There was no association between COVID-19 infection and sexual function, except for desire. Conclusions: The findings imply that the effects of pandemic infectious diseases should be considered more in sexual medicine. Also, depression is associated with all aspects of sexual function, and counseling is recommended to reduce depression, stress, and anxiety during pandemics. Because all information was collected using self-reported questionnaires, there is the possibility of information bias. Consequently, the findings should be cautiously generalized to other populations of women.