The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the number of sexual partners and sexual activity in the U.S.

New research reveals how the pandemic has changed sexual behavior in the U.S., with significant declines in the number of partners and frequency of sexual intercourse, especially among unmarried women.

Study: Changes in sexual behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the General Social Survey. Photo credit: Cagkan Sayin / Shutterstock

In a recent study published in International Journal of Impotence ResearchA group of researchers assessed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on sexual behaviors and relationship dynamics in the United States (US) using data from the General Social Survey (GSS).

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 800 million cases worldwide, has caused profound changes in interpersonal dynamics, including disruptions in personal relationships due to social distancing, quarantine measures, and fear of infection. In the United States, both marriage and birth rates declined during this period, suggesting significant impacts on romantic relationships and sexual behavior. These changes included changes in dating, marital practices, sexual partners, and frequency of sexual encounters. Interestingly, similar behavioral changes have also been observed during previous epidemics, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) crisis. More research is needed to examine the long-term effects of the pandemic on sexual behavior and relationships.

About the study

The GSS was used to collect data on sexual behaviors and habits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conducted twice a year since 1972, the GSS is a series of national cross-sectional surveys conducted among adult men and women in the United States by the National Opinion Research Council (NORC). It uses interviews to collect demographic information and monitor social trends in public opinions, attitudes, and behaviors. The GSS sample is obtained through random probability sampling of an area, and participation is voluntary. This study was exempt from Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval because the GSS data contain only deidentified information.

Data were drawn from the GSS Cumulative dataset, including responses from 12,791 individuals in 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2022. Data were divided into pre-COVID-19 (2016 and 2018, n = 5,215 respondents) and COVID-19 (2021 and 2022, n = 7,576 respondents) cohorts. The 2020 GSS was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic and adapted to include online questionnaires to ensure safety. The researchers selected 38 variables related to sexual behavior, including frequency of sexual contact and number of sexual partners.

Statistical analyses were performed using Stata/SE 18.0, with poststratification weighting to account for potential sampling error and confounders such as education, employment status, and sexual orientation. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square tests, and continuous variables were analyzed using independent Student t tests. Statistical significance was defined as p

Research results

The mean age of survey respondents was 47.4 years, with a standard deviation of ±17.8 years, and there were no significant differences between the pre-pandemic and COVID-19 cohorts (p = .59). The majority of respondents identified as white (74.2%) and heterosexual/heterosexual (92.9%). During COVID-19, respondents were more likely to be married and to have a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree. A large proportion of participants in the 2022 survey (81.5%) reported receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

The survey revealed significant changes in sexual behavior during the pandemic. The percentage of respondents reporting more than one sexual partner in the past year dropped significantly from 13.8% before the pandemic to 9.8% during the pandemic (p = 0.002). Similarly, the frequency of sexual activity showed a marked decrease. Respondents reporting sexual activity at least once a month dropped from 63.9% before the pandemic to 58.9% during the pandemic (p = 0.02), while those reporting sexual activity at least once a week dropped from 35.8% to 30.6% (p = 0.001). These changes reflect not only reduced social interaction but also increased caution regarding physical intimacy.

Further analysis of male respondents revealed that men had fewer female sexual partners during the pandemic. The percentage of men who had more than one female sexual partner in the past year fell from 18.6% before the pandemic to 11.7% during the pandemic (p.

In contrast, women experienced significant declines in both the frequency of sexual contact and the number of sexual partners during the pandemic. The percentage of women having sex at least once a week dropped from 34.8% to 28.1% (p

Conclusions

In summary, this study reveals important differences in sexual behavior during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic patterns, in particular a decrease in the number of sexual partners in men and women and a decreased frequency of sexual intercourse in women, especially unmarried women. These changes were likely due to decreased social interactions and increased caution. The observed gender differences, with men maintaining frequency but engaging in fewer partners, suggest differential social and psychological effects of the pandemic. The results underscore the importance of further research on the long-term effects of the pandemic on sexual behavior.