The impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the sexual health of male healthcare professionals
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.18656Keywords:
COVID-19, vaccine, sexual function, sexual dysfunction, sexualityAbstract
Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic negatively affected the mental and sexual health of individuals, especially healthcare professionals. In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes in anxiety and sexual activity of male healthcare professionals following vaccination.
Methodology: This prospective cross-sectional and descriptive online survey was conducted between July 1, 2021 and November 1, 2021, involving a total of 170 healthcare professionals. Socio-demographic characteristics, pre- and post-vaccination anxiety and sexual activity levels of the participants were compared.
Results: There was a significant increase in only the intercourse times of the participants post vaccination (p = 0.034). The Beck anxiety inventory score decreased from median: 19 (minimum (min): 16, maximum (max): 47) before vaccination to median: 17, (min: 10, max: 43) after vaccination (p < 0.001). Likewise, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) scores decreased after vaccination (median: 10, min: 5, max: 20) compared to before vaccination (median: 12, min: 5, max: 18) (p < 0.001). International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score also increased after vaccination (25.49 ± 6.50) compared to before vaccination (24.71 ± 7.10) (p < 0.001). Orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction scores also improved (p = 0.013, p < 0.001, p = 0.027, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Mental and sexual disorders increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to immunity, the vaccine also had positive effects on anxiety and sexual activity.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Hülya Yilmaz Başer, Ahmet Güzel, Aykut Başer
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
