Sexuality during COVID-19 pandemic – an overview

• Main Author: Jamani, Nurjasmine Aida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Medicine Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2022
• Subjects: R Medicine (General); RA Public aspects of medicine
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/101046/1/101046_Sexuality%20during%20COVID-19%20pandemic.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/101046/; https://www.medicineandhealthukm.com/sites/medicineandhealthukm.com/files/article/2022/16th_congress_of_asia_oceania_federation_for_sexol_18878.pdf

The Covid-19 pandemic that emerged at the end of 2019 has significantly impacted the world from various levels. The pandemic has brought fear and challenges to curb the death toll caused by it. Many governments around the world have imposed movement restrictions to safeguard its citizen. These restrictions aim was to reduce the spread of the virus by adopting containment measure, which includes isolation, limitation of movement, social distancing and forced cohabiting. These measures have influenced people’s lives, including their sexuality. Distance and absence of a partner create irritability, fear, and anxiety, endangering sexual life. Sexual relationships suffer from being single to between partners. In couples with children, the impact is reinforced with the continuous presence of children due to the closure of schools, making them difficult to find moments of intimacy. Despite this, the pandemic has made people more creative in exploring their sexuality and sexual intimacies. Internet usage and sex toys are tools documented to satisfy sexual desires and needs.