Sexual functioning during the lockdown period in India: An online survey

Grover, Sandeep; Vaishnav, Mrugesh; Tripathi, Adarsh; Rao, T. S. S.; Avasthi, Ajit; Dalal, P. K.; Mehra, Aseem; Sahoo, Swapnajeet; Manohar, Shivanand; Chandran, Suhas; Kumar, Ajay; Sharma, Pratheek; Rao, Suman S.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of lockdown on sexual functioning in India. In addition, impact of lockdown on relationship with the partner and mental health was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was conducted using changes in sexual functioning questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and a self-designed questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 41.5 (standard deviation: 11.2; range: 22–77; median: 39.5) years, with the majority being males 385 (85.6%). The participants reported that lockdown led to reduction in the frequency of sexual intercourse and also touching the partner (fondling, caressing, touching, or kissing) when not indulging in sexual intercourse. Majority of the participants reported improvement in the overall relationship, communication with the partner, and interpersonal conflicts. About two-fifths of the participants reported engaging in sexual intercourse more than twice a week or more. About one-fifth screened positive for psychiatric morbidity, with 14.2% screened positive for anxiety, 14.8% screened positive for depression and 8.7% screened positive for both. In both genders, presence of depression and anxiety were associated with lower sexual functioning in all the domains. CONCLUSION: Lockdown led to a reduction in the frequency of sexual intercourse, and reduction in the frequency of intimacy in the form of fondling, caressing, touching, or kissing partner when not doing sexual intercourse. However, lockdown led to the improvement in overall relationship and communication with the partners and a reduction in interpersonal conflicts.