COVID-19 pandemic effect on female sexual function.

Ilgen, Orkun; Kurt, Sefa; Aydin, Ceren; Bilen, Egehan; Kula, Hakan

OBJECTIVES To determine the COVID-19 pandemic's effect on female sexual functions among Turkish women. MATERIAL AND METHODS The present study was performed by using the previous study data that was conducted before the pandemic to detect female sexual function by using questionnaires. Comparison of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores in women during and before the pandemic. Participants were asked to fill questionnaire forms again. RESULTS FSFI scores of the participants were higher before the pandemic, however, this finding was not statistically significant (21.8 vs 21.0, p = 0.27). BAI and BDI scores with high scores accompanied by anxiety and depression were found statistically significantly higher in the study (11.2 vs 13.3, p < 0.01; 10.0 vs 13.7, p < 0.01; respectively). BAI scores had a negative correlation with FSFI scores, however, BDI scores had not a significant correlation with FSFI scores in the present study (p < 0.01, correlation coefficient = -0.302; p = 0.07; correlation coefficient = -0.183; respectively). CONCLUSIONS Pandemic seems not to affect female sexual behavior. However, the pandemic is associated with anxiety and depression.