Effect of Covid-۲۰۱۹ Infection on Main Sexual Function Domains in Iranian Patients

Introduction: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Covid-۲۰۱۹ and sexual dysfunction.Methods: A cross-sectional study included the affected coronavirus disease ۲۰۱۹ patients in outpatient and inpatient settings between July ۲۰۲۰ and December ۲۰۲۰. This study used the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-۵) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires to evaluate sexual function. Two different questionnaires were used for men(۱۵ questions) and women (۱۹ questions). Two similar forms were given to the affected patients; the first questionnaire related to the sexual function status before the pandemic, and the second related to the sexual function changes after the Covid-۲۰۱۹ infection (at least one month after covid infection recovery).Results: The sexual desire significantly decreased in males (change from ۱۲.۵۸±۲.۱۵ to ۱۰.۷۵ ±۲.۸۱; P-value<۰.۰۰۱) and females (change from ۱۴.۷۵±۳.۰۱ to  ۱۲.۶۷±۳.۶۲; P-value<۰.۰۰۱ ) patients after the Covid-۲۰۱۹ infection compared to the pre-covid period, respectively. The sexual function also significantly decreased in affected patients by Covid-۲۰۱۹ infection in males (from ۶۳.۹۱±۱۰.۲۲ to ۵۴.۰۶±۱۲.۴۳; P-value<۰.۰۰۱) and females (from۷۷.۴±۱۵.۰۹ to ۶۱.۵۴±۱۶.۱۸; P-value<۰.۰۰۱) patients after the Covid-۲۰۱۹ 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.Conclusion: The sexual desire and sexual function scores significantly decreased in affected patients by Covid-۲۰۱۹ infection compared to the pre-covid period in males and females. The mean score of sexual desire was lower in men affected with Covid-۲۰۱۹ 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.

Keywords:

Covid-۲۰۱۹ infection , Sexual Desire , sexual function , sexual satisfaction