(148) SINGLE MEN’S SEXUAL HEALTH DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Parizi H , Do Vale M , Castiglione M , Seligra L , Silva MC , Juliano R , Glina S 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Introduction
COVID-19, characterized by the World Health Organization as a pandemic [1], has affected human beings as a whole. Social isolation has led to feelings of fear, anxiety and panic, and can cause even more serious effects such as depression and sexual dysfunction. Over the last year, several studies have been carried out around the world seeking to understand the impacts of the pandemic on sexual issues, however, the majority of these studies focus on women or changes in sexual behavior in couples, with little data on the single male population.

Objective
The present study aims to analyze the impacts of the pandemic on sexual function, quality and desire in single men.

Methods
177 Brazilian men were included, cisgender, over 18 years old, single and who had started their sexual life. 73 participants were excluded if they filled out the questionnaire incompletely, were not cisgender or had not initiated sexual activity. Two questionnaires were used: the Sexual Quotient - Male Version, developed and validated in Brazil by Abdo in 2006 and one authored by himself - given the scarcity of validated tools in the proposed context. The first contains 10 items that assess physical and emotional aspects of the sexual experience (confidence, quality of foreplay, satisfaction with the partnership, quality of erection, ejaculatory control, ability to reach orgasm and satisfaction with sexual intercourse). The second includes questions that investigate the frequency of sexual relations, number of partners, level of satisfaction and sexual performance, frequency of masturbation, access to pornography and dating apps.

Results
Up to 33% of participants stated that they had difficulty, at least half of the time, keeping their penis erect. 29.93% said they had difficulty having a sufficiently rigid erection at least half of the time. Furthermore, 41.80% feel discouraged, at least half of the time, from wanting sex again due to their sexual performance. 59% said they were heterosexual. Of the various data obtained, some had a greater impact on men’s sexual life. The most prevalent factor was the increase in self-masturbation, a characteristic that correlates with the increased use of technology to maintain an active sex life and dating apps. Furthermore, unlike international research [2, 3], premature ejaculation was reported more by participants than erectile dysfunction. Regarding sexual activities, the majority of participants reported not having reduced their frequency, even with sexual dysfunctions and increased self-masturbation. This data is even more intriguing when we consider that 2/5 of the participants did not feel encouraged to perform sexual activity again due to their previous performance.

Conclusions
Single men’s sexual health during the COVID-19 pandemic has changed in both interpersonal and individual aspects. Furthermore, technology was, in the sexual sphere, an escape for those deprived of social relationships, becoming essential in the routine of the individual in quarantine.

Disclosure
No.