To verify whether there is an interaction between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and demographic factors over erectile/sexual (E/S) function in male and female Latin American population.

Cross-sectional study which included Latin American individuals over 18 years old, recruited through social media and interviewed between July and August 2020 by online surveys (Google Forms) in Portuguese and Spanish languages. The E/S function was evaluated through the following questionnaires: Simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); while post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed through the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R). The data was analyzed via T Student, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, with significance by the Wald test (p<0.05), using the R software (v4.0.0).

Out of the 2016 individuals that responded to the survey, 1986 were included (466 males and 1520 females) and 743 of them presented E/S dysfunction (175 [37.55%] males and 568 [37.37%] females). PTSD occurrence was greater among males (IES-R=36.50[±19.10]) and females (IES-R=41.28[±18.99]) with E/S dysfunction when compared to those without E/S dysfunction, both in the total score (males: IES-R=26.54[±19.17] and females: IES-R=35.92[±19.25]) and in the three domains. Was analized the interaction between PTSD and E/S function, and we found statistical difference over marital status of those how are married or cohabiting (1.74 OR [1.42 - 2.13 CI95%]). The impact of each domain in the sexual function, over marital status was also observed, with avoidance (0.97OR [0.94 – 0.99 CI95%]), hyperarousal (0.94OR [0.92 –0.97 CI95%])and intrusion(0.97OR [0.95 – 1.01 CI95%]).

This study demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic triggered PTSD, with a negative interaction between IES-R over the erectile/sexual function of Latin American population. Higher scores in IES-R were inversely proportional to the E/S function questionnaires, meaning that those who presented higher PTSD had a greater chance of presenting E/S dysfunction and vice versa.
Individuals that do not live with their partners presented greater prevalence of E/S dysfunction, although the COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact over E/S function of those who live with their partners, regardless of gender and other demographic factors. Regarding marital status, our study identified a higher pandemic impact in relation to avoidance and hyperarousal in the sexual function of married and cohabiting individuals, while the impact in the intrusion domain was the same regardless of the living or not with a partner.

There is an interaction between the COVID-19 pandemic impact and erectile/sexual function. Individuals that do not live with their partners presented higher prevalence of sexual dysfunction. However, the pandemic triggered greater impact over the erectile/sexual function of people who are cohabiting (+or are married) with their partners.
For our knowledge, this is the first study about sexual function in COVID-19 times in Latin America and more attention is needed for this population. In special trying to include not just heterosexual people. Future studies should search for alternatives of online solutions and treatments for the people affected in their sexual function by the COVID-19 pandemic and apply it in these times, and after the pandemic ends.

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