Endocrine Abstracts

Background

Natural disasters resulting in psychosocial stress and endocrine imbalances are implicated for impacting sexual health. We postulate COVID-19 for its longer duration and global lockdown has implications on the sexual health

Methods

We analysed contemporary protocols of six ongoing trials through WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and www.clinicaltrials.gov trials registry database. The latest evaluation was done on September 27, 2020 for trials registered from April to June 2020, evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health. Two researchers independently analysed the study designs.

Results

The trials evaluate female sexual behavior, marital and sexual health problems, sexual fantasies, postpartum sexual function, sexual function among healthcare workers, qualitative and quantitative aspects for fertility, urinary function, and STD. Six trials are cumulatively recruiting 868 participants; with two trials each in Turkey (n = 198) and Egypt (n = 520) and one each in Italy and France. Mean number of participants being enrolled is 145 (S.D. ± 130, maximum 400, minimum 50, range 350, 95% CI 8.4 to 281). Two trials enrol exclusively females (n = 198) and one trial only evaluates males (n = 50), with highest age 80 years and longest evaluation planned for one year. Interventions include questionnaire-based evaluation and diagnostic work-up. Established tools including IIEF-5, IPSS, SECRET questionnaire, Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ), FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index), dyspareunia scale are utilised. SARS-CoV 2 RNA PCR evaluation in urine and semen and interleukin assessment in semen are being done

Conclusions

The utilisation of validated tools across varied spectrum of participants, for evaluation for impact of contagiousness of the virus to confinement due to lockdown is a collective strength of ongoing observational studies. Varied novel approaches are being explored to understand the implications of COVID-19 on sexual health and function.