Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Male Sexual Behaviors and Erection Quality

Abstract

Objective: COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect peoples’ lives throughout the world. It has been demonstrated that restrictions due to lifestyle changes affect peoples’ mental and sexual health. This study aimed to examine changes in male sexual behaviors and erectile status in early and late periods of lockdown and isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: A total of 206 volunteer males with active sexual lives were enrolled in the study. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) was adopted to assess sexual function and erection and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was adopted to assess mental status during the pandemic. Results: Erection, sexual desire, sexual intercourse and/or masturbation frequency and sexual pleasure increased significantly during the first month of the lockdown and isolation in Turkey, April 2020 (p<0.001), and it declined in May with the prolongation of the process (p<0.001). Levels of depression have increased significantly during the pandemic as well. Conclusion: This is the first study to examine male sexual behaviors and erection status separately in April and May, in the early period when lockdowns and isolation started due to the pandemic and in the late period with the prolongation of the process, however further research is needed.