Depressive and Sexual Disorders during the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic among Young Polish Women.

Ewa Szuster,Grażyna Jarząbek-Bielecka,Małgorzata Biernikiewicz,Paulina Kostrzewska,Amanda Mandera,Dariusz Kałka,Małgorzata Sobieszczańska,Anna Pawlikowska,Krystyna Rożek-Piechura,Agnieszka Rusiecka

doi:10.3390/ijerph19031887

Abstract

We investigated whether long-term social restrictions and COVID-19 exposure have different impacts on the mental and sexual health of Polish women compared to the effects experienced at the beginning of the pandemic. An online survey was conducted among Polish women via Facebook groups. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores were compared for the first wave (April–May 2020) and the second wave (November 2020 to February 2021) of the pandemic. We enrolled 1644 participants (mean age 25.11 ± 7.09 years) during the first wave and 720 participants (mean age 23.23 ± 5.34 years) during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Significant differences were observed in libido levels and frequency of sexual activity before and during the first and second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (both p < 0.001). The percentage of participants under psychiatric or psychological care increased from 6.5% to 14.44% and those who were anxious about the health conditions of loved ones increased from 57.5% to 65.14%. BDI scores increased significantly from 11 (IQR 5–18) to 12 (IQR 7–20). The change in the FSFI score was not significant (27.01 ± 7.61 vs. 26.38 ± 7.76). The COVID-19 pandemic affected various aspects of human life, including sexual life. The data obtained during the first and the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland showed that female sexual dysfunction did not differ, but depressive symptoms and fear intensified.

Highlights

Coronavirus belongs to the group of RNA viruses that directly affect the functioning of the respiratory system, but can affect the work of other organs, e.g., the heart or central nervous system
The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of depressive symptoms and changes in sexual functioning in Polish women during long-term social restrictions and COVID-19 exposure using subjective, patient-centric measures
We separately modelled the dependency of Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores on a set of predictors including age as a continuous variable and four nominal predictors: wave of the pandemic (I or II), education, place of living and employment status

Summary

Introduction

Coronavirus belongs to the group of RNA viruses that directly affect the functioning of the respiratory system, but can affect the work of other organs, e.g., the heart or central nervous system. The first case of coronavirus was diagnosed in Poland on 4 March 2020. On the 11th of March, the restrictions in Poland began. From the 25th of that month, everybody had to stay at home; only going out for shopping was possible. From the 3rd of April, forests and parks were closed. The 20th of April was the first day when restrictions were

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