COVID-19 pandemic reduced sexual partners and activity in the U.S.

New research reveals how the pandemic reshaped sexual behavior in the U.S., with significant declines in partner numbers and sexual frequency, especially for non-married women.

Study: Changes in sexual behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from the General Social Survey . Image Credit: Cagkan Sayin / Shutterstock In a recent study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research , a group of researchers assessed the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on sexual behavior and partner dynamics in the United States (U.S.

) using data from the General Social Survey (GSS). Background The COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 800 million cases worldwide, caused profound shifts in interpersonal dynamics, including disruptions in personal relationships due to social distancing, quarantine measures, and fear of infection. In the U.

S., both marriage and birth rates declined during this period, suggesting significant impacts on romantic relationships and sexual behavior. These shifts included changes in dating, marital practices, sexual partners, and the frequency of sexual encounters.

Interestingly, similar behavioral changes were also observed during past epidemics, such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) crisis. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of the pandemic on sexual behavior and relationships. About the Study The GSS was utilized to gather data related to sexual behav.