The Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Life

■ What is the relationship between COVID-19 and sexual activity?

With social distancing measures strengthened during the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been spending more time at home, leading to a natural increase and improvement in sexual activity among couples and lovers, according to recent studies. While COVID-19 has had a positive impact on sexual activity in some cases, you may have also heard that contracting the COVID-19 virus can lead to decreased sexual function. Is this true? We have prepared a detailed look into how COVID-19 actually affects our sexual lives and some useful tips on how to maintain sexual health in daily life.

■ Does fear of COVID-19 infection increase libido and improve sexual activity?

Recently, psychologists at the University of Lisbon in Portugal surveyed 303 men and women in romantic relationships about how fearful they were of dying from COVID-19 and collected data on their sexual activity. The results showed that people who feared COVID-19 had significantly improved sexual activity. This means that the greater the fear of COVID-19 infection, the stronger the libido and the more frequent the sexual intercourse. On the other hand, those who were not afraid of COVID-19 infection showed almost no change in their sexual activity. The researchers noted, "Generally, stress is negatively correlated with sexual desire, but negative experiences caused by the environment can actually enhance sexual desire," suggesting that fear of COVID-19 may have helped some relationships. Additionally, a clinical psychologist explained that the fear of dying from the virus could trigger an evolutionary reproductive response, where the risk of death encourages us to pass on our genes and seek intimacy with partners as a means of comfort.

■ Can the COVID-19 virus significantly affect male sexual function?

Scientific studies show how the COVID-19 virus affects the reproductive organs. The testes play an important role in producing male hormones, and certain viruses can penetrate the blood-testis barrier, invading the reproductive system and triggering immune responses within the testes. This can lead to impaired testicular function, which in turn can have a significant impact on overall male sexual function, potentially resulting in sexual dysfunction.

However, erectile dysfunction does not occur solely due to effects on the testes. Male erection is closely related to vascular health, specifically endothelial function. COVID-19 infection can cause endothelial dysfunction, which may ultimately worsen erectile function. Furthermore, severe sepsis caused by COVID-19 can lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, increasing the likelihood of blood clots blocking the microvessels in the testes or penis, which can contribute to erectile dysfunction.

■ Is there research indicating that the respiratory disease COVID-19 leaves lasting effects on male sexual function?

Research has emerged showing that COVID-19 directly affects the testes and sexual function in men. A study conducted in China examined the testes of 91 men who died from COVID-19 and found that the number of spermatogenic cells and sperm cells themselves were reduced in tissue analysis. In severe cases, total sperm count and motility were lower compared to normal or mild cases. This suggests that sexual dysfunction caused by COVID-19 infection may remain as a permanent aftereffect over time. Additionally, some respiratory diseases are known to cause permanent infertility and other sequelae, so urological problems from COVID-19 may not fully recover depending on the severity of inflammation during infection. Although data on recovery from these aftereffects is still insufficient, it is clear that COVID-19 affects the testes and sexual function.

■ Three reasons why COVID-19 virus can affect male erectile dysfunction

1. Vascular dysfunction and deterioration

COVID-19 is an infectious disease that causes excessive inflammation throughout the body. As a result, the virus can worsen vascular conditions, narrowing the diameter of blood vessels supplying blood to the penis and reducing blood flow, which can cause erectile dysfunction.

2. Psychological depression, anxiety, and stress

The stress caused by the virus itself, along with anxiety and depression due to the pandemic, can impair sexual function. Existing depression may worsen, becoming a cause of erectile dysfunction.

3. Worsening health due to underlying diseases

Men with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes who are in poor health have a higher likelihood of experiencing erectile dysfunction if their underlying diseases worsen due to COVID-19 infection compared to those without such conditions.

■ How to take good care of male sexual health in the COVID-19 era

After recovering from COVID-19 infection, will male sexual health return to what it was before? The COVID-19 virus can affect male hormones and leave sequelae in the genitourinary system. Therefore, it is best to carefully follow prevention guidelines and maintain hygiene in daily life to avoid infection.

In fact, even if you avoid COVID-19, it is premature to be confident or complacent about male sexual health. Consistent management is necessary to maintain male sexual health. Nowadays, men tend to spend long hours sitting, have low physical activity, and are easily exposed to severe stress, increasing the risk of sexual dysfunction and diseases related to the prostate and testes. Why not look at some health tips to protect male sexual health and vitality and start practicing them in daily life before it’s too late?

If you work sitting all day or drive for long hours, you are at higher risk of erectile dysfunction and prostatitis. Prostate pressure and pelvic nerve compression caused by sitting are direct factors for erectile dysfunction and prostatitis. Moreover, prolonged sitting leads to muscle atrophy in the lower body and reduced blood circulation to the penile vessels, lowering sexual function. Therefore, when you must sit for long periods, choose a hard chair rather than a soft one and get up frequently to stretch your muscles. Heel raises?lifting your heels as high as possible while keeping your toes on the ground to stretch the calf muscles, holding for a few seconds, then lowering and repeating?are recommended. This exercise relaxes and contracts the calf muscles, increasing blood flow that circulates through relaxed penile vessels, playing an important role in preventing erectile dysfunction.

Unsaturated fatty acids help lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis, which is one cause of erectile dysfunction. Therefore, it is good to eat soy products such as bean sprouts and tofu, which are rich in unsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, consuming garlic and blueberries, which help remove waste from peripheral blood vessels and enhance vitality, is beneficial.

Maintaining a normal weight and exercising regularly are very important for sexual health. Being overweight causes hormonal imbalances and nervous system dullness, leading to decreased sexual function. In other words, obese men have a higher risk of sexual dysfunction, so consistent management to maintain an appropriate weight is necessary. It is recommended to do aerobic exercise at least twice a week for more than 30 minutes until you are out of breath. Exercise raises blood pressure and heart rate, improving blood circulation and stimulating the neuro-hormonal system, which increases male hormone secretion and greatly helps improve vitality. Additionally, regularly doing waist stretches to strengthen the pelvic and lower back muscles surrounding the penis can also improve sexual function.

Loose trunk-style underwear is better than tight-fitting underwear that presses against the skin, as it helps prevent scrotal skin diseases and maintains proper sperm production function in the testes, preventing erectile dysfunction. If the fit is comfortable, you can wear tight styles according to your preference, but excessively tight underwear raises the temperature of the scrotal skin, making it prone to skin diseases. Continuous stimulation raising skin temperature can impair testicular function and increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, so caution is advised.

The testes function best at a temperature 1?2 degrees Celsius lower than body temperature, producing optimal sperm and hormone function. Therefore, using a sauna for several hours daily over a long period or working for long hours in hot and humid environments can cause problems with testicular function, which requires a lower temperature, and increase the risk of erectile dysfunction. However, warm baths or half-body baths for about 20?30 minutes can increase blood circulation to the testes and prostate, improving sperm production and preventing erectile dysfunction, so occasional use is helpful.

A study from Boston University found that men who sleep less than 6 hours or more than 9 hours per day have about a 42% reduction in fertility. Therefore, the ideal average daily sleep time is 7?8 hours. Since most of the daily secretion of testosterone, a hormone greatly affecting sexual function, occurs during sleep, maintaining adequate sleep time is important for preserving sexual function.

The male genitalia require more than eight times the usual blood flow when erect. Nicotine in cigarettes acts as a critical factor that impairs blood flow. The more frequently and longer you smoke, the more blood drains from the corpora cavernosa of the penis, causing erections to subside quickly. Nicotine absorbed into the blood vessels constricts the penile arteries, reduces blood flow to the testes, and suppresses male hormone secretion, leading to decreased libido. Therefore, long-term smoking weakens overall sexual function, making quitting smoking advisable.

Among various diseases related to male sexual function, prostate diseases occur easily, mainly due to aging. Therefore, regularly eating foods rich in antioxidants that help prevent aging can support prostate health. It is also important to increase intake of carbohydrates, fiber, vegetables, fruits, and fish, while reducing consumption of meat, coffee, alcohol, and other stimulating foods.

*Tomatoes

Tomatoes are well known for being rich in lycopene and beta-carotene. These compounds act as powerful antioxidants in the body, helping combat various inflammations and cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species and aging. However, it is best to avoid consuming tomatoes with added sugar.

*Green leafy vegetables such as broccoli

It is recommended to regularly eat green leafy vegetables rich in antioxidants, such as broccoli, kale, cabbage, Swiss chard, and spinach.

*Green tea

Among teas, green tea is rich in antioxidants like catechins and is beneficial to drink instead of coffee.

*Nuts such as Brazil nuts

Brazil nuts contain healthy fatty acids, various amino acids, selenium, and vitamin E, all antioxidants, making them a good snack choice.

*Salmon

Consuming fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, supports prostate health. The anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 fatty acids are effective for symptoms like prostatitis.

*Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a fruit rich in protein, fiber, various vitamins and minerals, and powerful antioxidants such as punicalagin and punicic acid. It is not only good for women but also beneficial for men's health, so it is recommended to consume it regularly.